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The nation's bold move to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a growing number of nations are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our kids' youth". A law could be enacted next year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "an options under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to enact a law lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding statement supporting a ban for minors except if guardian approval is provided. While it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the step does not create binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a useful foundation," stated one European lawmaker driving the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "supported by strong evidence".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the government committed to investigate the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. One foundation set up by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to harmful social media material contends that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to build tools that are appropriate and suitable for minors," said a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, action is mostly occurring at the local level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a rule limiting minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional use dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills demanding adult authorization for minors to open social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from various individuals to follow Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Outside of these regions, additional states are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, international bodies strike a more nuanced position. Unicef has advised that social media bans have downsides and "might backfire". The body notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

While this global conversation unfolds, the policies of Australia and its followers show that governments internationally are increasingly prepared to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.