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The nation's controversial move to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a increasing number of countries are considering parallel bans.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that phones and networks are "stealing our children's innocence". A law is expected to be passed next year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "one of the options on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to enact a bill raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged guardians to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding motion calling for a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is provided. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a good starting point," said the MEP supporting the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "based on conclusive evidence".

Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration vowed to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to harmful platform posts suggests that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users become eligible.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

In the United States, action is largely unfolding at the regional government level against a backdrop of federal inaction.

• The state of Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a measure prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a regulation restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional access dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced laws mandating adult authorization for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from some individuals to mimic Australia's path, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Outside of the West, further nations are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, international agencies strike a more measured tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The body highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize safety.

Even as this global conversation evolves, the actions of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that states around the world are no longer willing to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.