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The nation's bold policy to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and parents are observing closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Momentum

In Europe, a growing chorus of nations are moving toward parallel restrictions.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that phones and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". The policy may be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the options in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to pass a proposal raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended families to block their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a symbolic statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is granted. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a solid foundation," said one European lawmaker behind the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the administration has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "based on strong research".

Earlier, interest built behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the government pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. An organization set up by the family of a teenager who died after being exposed to dangerous platform posts contends that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to build tools that are safe and fit for young users," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, action is largely occurring at the local government level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a rule limiting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with any further use dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed measures mandating guardian approval for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from certain figures to mimic Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, further states are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, international agencies adopt a more nuanced position. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could backfire". The agency notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

While this worldwide conversation evolves, the steps of the Australian government and others indicate that policymakers around the world are less and less content to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.