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The nation's controversial policy to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and families are observing with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of countries are exploring similar bans.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our kids' innocence". A law could be passed soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban remains "one of the measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked parliament to approve a law increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a comparable action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended families to block their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a advisory motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the step does not create enforceable legislation.

"A strong age barrier is a solid starting point," commented one European lawmaker driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but insisting any action must be "based on strong research".

Earlier, momentum built behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a girl who died after viewing dangerous platform posts suggests that a simple age ban might not protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users turn 16.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are appropriate and fit for young users," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

In the United States, regulation is mostly unfolding at the local government level amid country-wide inaction.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a measure banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional time dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills demanding guardian approval for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from some individuals to mimic this lead, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

Beyond the West, additional nations are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world bodies take a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could backfire". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve user protection.

While this global discussion evolves, the actions of this nation and others demonstrate that policymakers around the world are less and less prepared to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.