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The nation's decisive policy to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are watching intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for other nations.

European Momentum

Across Europe, a increasing number of nations are exploring similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". A law is expected to be passed soon.
• Norway is set to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged the legislature to pass a proposal lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has recommended families to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory statement demanding a ban for under-16s without parental consent is provided. Although it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A strong age restriction is a useful foundation," said the MEP driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any action must be "based on strong research".

Previously, support gathered behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a teenager who died after being exposed to disturbing platform posts suggests that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for children," commented a leading peer.

The United States: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, legislation is mostly unfolding at the state government level against a backdrop of federal inaction.

• Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has signed a law banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional time requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced bills demanding guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some individuals to mimic the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, international bodies take a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The body highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve user protection.

While this international discussion evolves, the actions of this nation and its followers demonstrate that policymakers globally are no longer prepared to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.