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The nation's controversial policy to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Movement

Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are moving toward similar bans.

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that phones and platforms are "robbing our children's childhood". The policy may be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban is "an measures on the table".
• In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to approve a bill lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised families to prevent their kids from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is given. While it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the step does not establish binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a useful foundation," stated a leading European lawmaker behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but insisting any action must be "grounded in robust research".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to investigate the matter.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after encountering disturbing platform posts argues that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to create tools that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a influential peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, regulation is mostly occurring at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation capping under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with extra use requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed bills mandating parental consent for minors to set up social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from various individuals to follow this path, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, additional countries are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for one major platform to 16.

However, world bodies take a more cautious tone. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could backfire". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

While this international conversation unfolds, the steps of Australia and others demonstrate that states internationally are increasingly willing to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.