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The nation's decisive action to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Officials, campaigners, and families are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

In Europe, a increasing number of nations are exploring parallel measures.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our kids' innocence". The policy may be enacted next year.
• Norway is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban is "a potential measures on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has called on parliament to approve a bill lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic statement calling for a ban for minors except if guardian approval is given. While it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"A strong age restriction is a solid first step," commented the MEP driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye

Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "based on conclusive evidence".

Last year, support built behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after viewing disturbing social media material contends that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to create tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," said a leading child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

Across America, action is mostly occurring at the regional level amid country-wide inaction.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a law capping under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional time needing a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills mandating guardian approval for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain individuals to mimic this lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, further states are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

But, world agencies take a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in safety.

Even as this international debate unfolds, the actions of Australia and several other countries show that governments around the world are less and less content to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.