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The nation's decisive action to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of states are considering similar bans.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that phones and platforms are "robbing our kids' innocence". Legislation could be formalized soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "an tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to pass a bill raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding statement demanding a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a solid first step," stated the parliamentarian behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "based on robust data".

Earlier, support grew behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. An organization founded by the family of a teenager who took her own life after viewing harmful platform posts suggests that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for children," stated a leading child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, legislation is largely unfolding at the regional government level due to federal gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with additional use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced measures requiring adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from certain figures to copy this example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Views

Apart from the West, other nations are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, international agencies strike a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in safety.

While this international discussion continues, the steps of this nation and its followers show that governments internationally are less and less content to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.