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The nation's controversial move to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Movement

Across Europe, a increasing group of nations are exploring comparable bans.

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that phones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' youth". Legislation could be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "an tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to pass a bill raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a similar action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended families to block their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the step does not create enforceable legislation.

"A clear age limit is a useful foundation," said the parliamentarian supporting the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "grounded in robust research".

Earlier, support grew behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the government committed to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. An organization established by the loved ones of a young person who died after being exposed to harmful social media material argues that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to create products and services that are appropriate and fit for children," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, regulation is primarily happening at the regional level due to national inaction.

• Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has passed a law banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a law limiting teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with extra access requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced laws requiring adult authorization for teenagers to open social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some figures to mimic Australia's path, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

Beyond these regions, other countries are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, international agencies adopt a more cautious position. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might backfire". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.

Even as this worldwide debate unfolds, the policies of Australia and its followers show that policymakers globally are less and less prepared to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.