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The nation's decisive action to ban social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a rising group of states are exploring comparable bans.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our kids' youth". The policy could be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to pass a bill increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a related step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended parents to prevent their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a useful first step," stated a leading MEP driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in strong research".

Previously, momentum built behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration committed to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. An organization set up by the family of a young person who took her own life after viewing dangerous platform posts contends that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to design products and services that are secure and suitable for minors," stated a prominent peer.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, action is primarily happening at the state level amid federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law capping minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional time needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced laws demanding guardian approval for under-16s to open social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain individuals to follow this example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Views

Outside of Europe and the US, additional countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, global bodies strike a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

As this global debate unfolds, the steps of this nation and others demonstrate that states globally are increasingly willing to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.