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The nation's bold action to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are observing intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Momentum

In Europe, a growing chorus of nations are exploring parallel measures.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that smartphones and networks are "stealing our kids' childhood". A law is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential options under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on parliament to approve a law increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised parents to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding motion demanding a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the step does not create enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a useful first step," commented a leading parliamentarian driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "based on strong data".

Earlier, support built behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the government committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. A prominent charity set up by the family of a teenager who was lost after encountering harmful platform posts argues that a simple age ban may not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and suitable for minors," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, regulation is primarily unfolding at the state level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a law barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional access requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures mandating parental consent for under-16s to create social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from certain politicians to follow the Australian example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

Outside of Europe and the US, additional nations are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international organizations strike a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "might backfire". The organization points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.

While this international debate unfolds, the policies of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that governments globally are no longer content to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.