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The nation's controversial move to ban social networking access for those under 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Trend

In Europe, a rising chorus of nations are moving toward similar measures.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that phones and networks are "taking away our kids' innocence". The policy could be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media participants. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has asked parliament to enact a proposal lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has urged families to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A clear age limit is a useful starting point," said a leading MEP driving the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye

Across Britain, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "based on strong research".

Last year, support built behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. However, the administration vowed to further research the issue.

Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. An organization founded by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after viewing harmful social media material argues that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are safe and suitable for young users," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, regulation is primarily happening at the regional level amid federal gridlock.

• Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a law restricting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with extra time dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted bills requiring guardian approval for minors to create social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from certain individuals to mimic this lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Outside of these regions, further states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, world organizations strike a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "may even backfire". The body notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in safety.

As this worldwide discussion evolves, the actions of this nation and its followers demonstrate that governments globally are less and less prepared to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.