In a precedent-setting move, Australia has legislated to ban children under the age of 16 from using social networking sites. The groundbreaking decision, the first of its kind in the world, aims to safeguard underage users from the potential harms of overexposure to social media. The ban comes after mounting global concern about the impact such platforms can have on the mental health of younger users and the ever-present dangers of online bullying.

In Japan, this law generates a great deal of discussion. While many applaud Australia's proactive measures and call for similar regulations in Japan, there's varied opinion about the age restriction. In Japan, where inherent values uphold respect for autonomy, some argue for education about responsible use of social media rather than outright prohibition.

In the US and EU, regulations regarding children and social media generally hover around the age of 13, with parental consent required for access where such services collect personal data. The Australian legislation strongly diverges from these standards by raising the age limit and imposing an outright ban.