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The nation's controversial move to restrict social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Across Europe, a increasing number of states are exploring parallel measures.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that phones and apps are "stealing our children's childhood". Legislation could be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "an options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has called on parliament to pass a proposal increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended families to prevent their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic motion demanding a ban for under-16s without parental consent is granted. While it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a solid starting point," commented the European lawmaker driving the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "grounded in strong research".

Earlier, momentum built behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the government vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. One foundation set up by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after viewing disturbing online content contends that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to create products and services that are secure and suitable for young users," stated a leading peer.

America: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, action is mostly occurring at the local level due to country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra time requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted measures demanding adult authorization for teenagers to open social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from some individuals to copy the Australian example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

Beyond these regions, other countries are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, international organizations strike a more cautious tone. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

Even as this worldwide discussion evolves, the policies of Australia and several other countries indicate that governments internationally are no longer content to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.