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The nation's controversial policy to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing group of states are considering comparable bans.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". The policy could be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "an tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked parliament to enact a law lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended parents to block their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is granted. Even though it warns of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a useful foundation," stated a leading MEP supporting the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust data".

Last year, support gathered behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the administration committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a young person who died after encountering disturbing social media material contends that a simple age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a influential peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, action is mostly occurring at the local level amid national inaction.

• Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional access requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted measures demanding guardian approval for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from some politicians to copy this path, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Global Views

Beyond Europe and the US, further countries are likewise taking action.

• The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, world organizations adopt a more measured tone. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

While this global debate continues, the actions of Australia and others show that states around the world are no longer willing to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.