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The nation's controversial action to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

In Europe, a increasing group of states are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our kids' youth". Legislation is expected to be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media users. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential options in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has asked parliament to pass a proposal lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a similar move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged guardians to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it warns of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the step does not create binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a good foundation," stated the MEP driving the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Last year, momentum grew behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have raised apprehensions. One foundation established by the family of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to harmful platform posts contends that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to build products and services that are secure and suitable for young users," stated a leading child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, action is mostly happening at the local level due to country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a rule restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills demanding guardian approval for minors to create social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and calls from various figures to mimic this path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Apart from these regions, additional countries are also exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, global agencies adopt a more cautious tone. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve safety.

Even as this global discussion continues, the actions of the Australian government and others demonstrate that policymakers around the world are no longer willing to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.