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The nation's controversial action to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and families are observing intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of nations are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that phones and apps are "robbing our children's childhood". The policy may be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban is "an measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to approve a proposal lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised families to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is granted. While it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the step does not create binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a good foundation," commented a leading parliamentarian supporting the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "based on robust evidence".

Earlier, momentum built behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration pledged to investigate the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. One foundation established by the relatives of a teenager who died after encountering dangerous platform posts contends that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to build products and services that are secure and fit for young users," said a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, action is largely unfolding at the state level due to federal inaction.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional access dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced measures requiring parental consent for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from certain politicians to follow Australia's path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

Apart from the West, further countries are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, global agencies adopt a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of this nation and others demonstrate that states globally are less and less prepared to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.