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The nation's decisive policy to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

Across Europe, a growing number of states are exploring parallel bans.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". Legislation is expected to be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has called on lawmakers to approve a bill lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended parents to restrict their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is provided. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age barrier is a good starting point," commented one MEP supporting the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in robust data".

Previously, support grew behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration pledged to investigate the matter.

Charities have voiced warnings. An organization founded by the family of a girl who took her own life after viewing disturbing online content contends that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," stated a prominent peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, legislation is primarily occurring at the state level against a backdrop of national gridlock.

• The state of Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from some politicians to copy this lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Outside of the West, further states are similarly exploring options.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, international agencies adopt a more cautious tone. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might backfire". The agency notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

While this global conversation unfolds, the actions of this nation and its followers demonstrate that states around the world are less and less content to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.