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The nation's controversial policy to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

The European Movement

In Europe, a growing chorus of states are moving toward comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our children's innocence". The policy could be enacted next year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has asked the legislature to enact a law lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a similar step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic motion calling for a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is granted. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the move does not establish binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a good first step," stated the parliamentarian behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "supported by robust research".

Previously, support gathered behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. One foundation set up by the relatives of a young person who died after encountering disturbing social media material contends that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when teens become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for young users," commented a leading child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Approach

Stateside, regulation is primarily occurring at the local level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a bill banning under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with extra access requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed laws requiring parental consent for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from some politicians to copy this example, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Outside of the West, additional states are likewise considering moves.

• The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies strike a more cautious position. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The body notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in safety.

Even as this worldwide debate unfolds, the actions of this nation and its followers demonstrate that governments internationally are no longer willing to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.