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The nation's controversial action to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for other nations.

Across Europe Trend

Across Europe, a growing number of nations are considering parallel restrictions.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that phones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' youth". A law is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on parliament to approve a bill increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a similar move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised parents to block their kids from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is granted. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a useful first step," commented a leading parliamentarian driving the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the administration has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Previously, interest gathered behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a teenager who died after viewing harmful social media material suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to design products and services that are safe and age appropriate for young users," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

Across America, legislation is largely unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a law restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra use requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed laws demanding guardian approval for minors to set up social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some figures to copy Australia's path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Outside of these regions, further countries are similarly considering moves.

• The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, global bodies strike a more measured stance. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could backfire". The body notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve user protection.

As this global conversation unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states around the world are less and less content to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.