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The nation's controversial move to ban social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are watching closely to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a rising number of nations are exploring parallel bans.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". Legislation may be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "one of the tools in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked the legislature to approve a proposal lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is provided. Even though it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.

"An effective age restriction is a solid foundation," said one MEP driving the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "based on conclusive evidence".

Previously, support gathered behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the administration vowed to investigate the issue.

Charities have voiced warnings. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after viewing harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are appropriate and fit for minors," stated a leading peer.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, regulation is mostly happening at the local government level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill banning under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has passed a law restricting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with additional time dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced bills demanding adult authorization for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some individuals to mimic the Australian example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

Outside of the West, further states are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, international organizations adopt a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "could backfire". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve user protection.

Even as this international debate continues, the policies of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that states internationally are no longer willing to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.