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The nation's bold move to restrict social media access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are monitoring intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Movement

In Europe, a rising group of countries are considering similar measures.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". Legislation is expected to be enacted next year.
• Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media users. Officials have suggested that an similar ban could be "one of the options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged parliament to enact a bill increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a related move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is granted. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"An effective age restriction is a solid starting point," said one European lawmaker behind the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

Across Britain, the administration has kept open a future ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "supported by robust research".

Last year, interest built behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the government pledged to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after encountering dangerous online content contends that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to design products and services that are appropriate and suitable for minors," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, legislation is primarily unfolding at the regional level due to national inaction.

• Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has passed a bill banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a rule capping minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further access needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted laws demanding adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from some politicians to mimic the Australian path, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Beyond the West, additional countries are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.

However, global bodies strike a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in safety.

While this worldwide debate continues, the actions of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that governments globally are less and less content to wait for platforms to self-regulate.