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The nation's decisive move to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

The European Movement

In Europe, a growing group of countries are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that phones and platforms are "robbing our children's youth". The policy could be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an similar ban is "an measures on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to enact a bill raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for minors except if guardian approval is given. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the move does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a good foundation," stated one MEP behind the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by strong research".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the administration pledged to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have raised warnings. A prominent charity established by the family of a teenager who was lost after viewing disturbing social media material contends that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are safe and suitable for young users," said a leading child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, regulation is primarily happening at the regional level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has passed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation capping under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with additional access requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced laws demanding guardian approval for minors to create social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from some politicians to follow the Australian path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Perspectives

Beyond these regions, further nations are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global bodies strike a more cautious position. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The agency points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in safety.

While this global conversation unfolds, the policies of Australia and others demonstrate that governments internationally are increasingly content to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.