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The nation's decisive action to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are observing closely to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

European Trend

Across Europe, a rising group of states are exploring comparable bans.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and networks are "robbing our kids' youth". Legislation could be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban remains "a potential tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to pass a bill raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is given. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A strong age restriction is a solid first step," stated a leading parliamentarian supporting the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the administration has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any action must be "grounded in robust data".

Previously, momentum built behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. However, the government vowed to investigate the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. One foundation founded by the family of a girl who died after viewing dangerous social media material argues that a simple age ban may not protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to build tools that are secure and suitable for young users," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, regulation is largely occurring at the regional government level amid federal inaction.

• Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a measure barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has passed a law limiting minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional time requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws mandating adult authorization for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain politicians to copy the Australian path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Outside of the West, other nations are similarly exploring options.

• The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, world organizations adopt a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

Even as this worldwide debate unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and others indicate that governments globally are increasingly willing to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.