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The nation's bold policy to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

In Europe, a growing chorus of states are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that phones and platforms are "taking away our children's innocence". The policy could be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "influence of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has called on the legislature to approve a law raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a related step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended families to prevent their kids from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is granted. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a good starting point," commented the parliamentarian driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "based on conclusive data".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after encountering dangerous platform posts argues that a strict age ban may not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," commented a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, legislation is primarily happening at the local government level amid national stalemate.

• Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a measure barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law capping under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with extra access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted laws mandating parental consent for minors to open social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from various individuals to copy the Australian lead, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Apart from these regions, further nations are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, global agencies take a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "might backfire". The agency notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

As this global debate continues, the actions of Australia and several other countries show that policymakers around the world are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.