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The nation's decisive action to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing number of countries are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that phones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". The policy is expected to be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban could be "a potential measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to enact a proposal raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a solid starting point," commented the MEP driving the measure.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the administration has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "based on strong evidence".

Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. However, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. One foundation set up by the family of a girl who died after being exposed to disturbing online content argues that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to design products and services that are safe and age appropriate for young users," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, regulation is mostly happening at the local government level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a bill barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a rule restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra use requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted bills demanding adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from some individuals to copy the Australian path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international organizations strike a more measured position. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.

While this global conversation evolves, the actions of Australia and others demonstrate that policymakers globally are less and less willing to delay for the industry to self-regulate.