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The nation's decisive policy to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.

European Momentum

In Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are considering comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that phones and apps are "stealing our kids' innocence". A law is expected to be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on parliament to approve a bill raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a advisory motion demanding a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is given. Although it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age restriction is a solid first step," said the European lawmaker behind the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any action must be "based on strong evidence".

Previously, interest built behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government vowed to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. One foundation founded by the relatives of a young person who died after encountering disturbing online content contends that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to design tools that are safe and suitable for minors," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, regulation is mostly occurring at the state level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further access needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills demanding parental consent for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from various individuals to follow the Australian example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, additional countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, global organizations adopt a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "might backfire". The organization notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in safety.

Even as this worldwide debate continues, the steps of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that policymakers internationally are increasingly prepared to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.