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The nation's controversial move to ban social media access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of nations are moving toward parallel restrictions.

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that phones and networks are "robbing our children's youth". The policy is expected to be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "a potential measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on lawmakers to approve a bill increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised families to prevent their kids from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding statement supporting a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is provided. Although it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age restriction is a solid foundation," commented one MEP driving the resolution.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "based on robust data".

Last year, interest built behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. However, the administration pledged to investigate the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. An organization established by the relatives of a young person who died after being exposed to dangerous platform posts argues that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," stated a prominent peer.

The United States: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, action is mostly occurring at the regional government level amid national stalemate.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has passed a measure prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures demanding guardian approval for minors to create social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from certain politicians to follow the Australian path, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Outside of these regions, additional countries are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, global agencies strike a more measured stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "might backfire". The organization notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide discussion unfolds, the actions of this nation and others demonstrate that governments around the world are increasingly willing to delay for platforms to self-regulate.