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The nation's controversial move to restrict social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Trend

In Europe, a growing chorus of states are considering similar restrictions.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our children's childhood". Legislation may be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is set to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "an measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to pass a proposal lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s without parental consent is provided. While it highlights of the "addictive" design of these services, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a solid starting point," commented a leading parliamentarian driving the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "based on conclusive evidence".

Previously, interest built behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. However, the government vowed to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the family of a teenager who took her own life after viewing harmful platform posts argues that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to build products and services that are secure and fit for young users," stated a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, legislation is largely happening at the regional level due to national inaction.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has signed a law banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a rule capping under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra access needing a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted laws demanding parental consent for minors to open social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain individuals to follow this lead, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Beyond these regions, further nations are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, global organizations strike a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might backfire". The agency points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.

While this global discussion unfolds, the steps of this nation and several other countries show that states globally are less and less willing to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.