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The nation's bold action to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a rising number of countries are exploring comparable restrictions.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that phones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' youth". A law may be enacted next year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "a potential tools on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to approve a bill lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a related move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a advisory statement calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is granted. While it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a good foundation," commented one European lawmaker behind the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the government has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any action must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Earlier, interest built behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration vowed to investigate the issue.

Charities have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after viewing disturbing social media material argues that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to design tools that are safe and fit for young users," commented a prominent peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

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

• Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has passed a bill barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law capping teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with extra time requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills demanding adult authorization for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from various figures to mimic Australia's example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Perspectives

Apart from these regions, additional states are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, global bodies adopt a more cautious stance. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize safety.

Even as this worldwide discussion continues, the actions of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that governments internationally are no longer content to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.