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The nation's controversial move to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are watching intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of nations are considering comparable restrictions.

• The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". A law could be formalized soon.
• Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has called on lawmakers to approve a proposal raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised guardians to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic motion demanding a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" design of these services, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age restriction is a useful first step," stated one parliamentarian driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in robust data".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the government vowed to further research the topic.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. An organization set up by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after encountering disturbing online content argues that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people turn 16.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are secure and fit for young users," commented a leading peer.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, regulation is largely unfolding at the local level amid country-wide gridlock.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a regulation restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further access dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures mandating adult authorization for minors to set up social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from certain individuals to follow this example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Outside of the West, other countries are also exploring options.

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

Yet, world organizations adopt a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in safety.

Even as this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of this nation and its followers demonstrate that governments around the world are increasingly prepared to delay for the industry to self-regulate.