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The nation's decisive action to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are watching intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Trend

Across Europe, a increasing group of states are considering similar restrictions.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our kids' innocence". A law may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "one of the tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to approve a law raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended parents to restrict their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory motion demanding a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the move does not establish binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a good first step," said the MEP supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by robust research".

Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the government committed to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation established by the relatives of a teenager who died after encountering disturbing social media material argues that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are secure and suitable for children," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, regulation is largely happening at the regional level due to country-wide inaction.

• Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a bill barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has passed a regulation capping teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with additional use requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws mandating adult authorization for minors to set up social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain figures to copy the Australian lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from these regions, further countries are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world organizations adopt a more nuanced tone. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The body points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

As this international debate unfolds, the actions of this nation and several other countries show that states around the world are no longer prepared to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.