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The nation's decisive action to ban social networking access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Movement

Across Europe, a growing chorus of states are considering similar bans.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that phones and apps are "stealing our children's youth". A law may be passed next year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban is "an measures on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to approve a law increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged guardians to block their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a advisory resolution calling for a ban for minors except if guardian approval is given. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a solid first step," stated the parliamentarian driving the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a possible ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in strong data".

Previously, interest built behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the family of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing social media material argues that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to create tools that are secure and fit for minors," said a influential child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, regulation is primarily happening at the local government level due to country-wide stalemate.

• Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has passed a law barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a rule restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra access dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted measures requiring adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some individuals to mimic the Australian lead, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond these regions, other countries are likewise taking action.

• The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, world bodies take a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "may even backfire". The body points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

As this global conversation evolves, the policies of this nation and several other countries indicate that governments internationally are less and less willing to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.