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The nation's decisive action to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.

The European Movement

In Europe, a rising group of states are exploring parallel measures.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our kids' youth". The policy could be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an similar ban could be "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to enact a law raising the legal 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 step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is provided. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a good starting point," commented one parliamentarian driving the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach

In the UK, the government has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "supported by strong data".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. An organization set up by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to harmful social media material argues that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for young users," said a prominent peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, legislation is mostly happening at the local level against a backdrop of national inaction.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a law limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further time dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills requiring adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from certain individuals to copy Australia's lead, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Views

Beyond the West, additional nations are likewise exploring options.

• The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world agencies take a more nuanced tone. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The agency notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve safety.

While this international debate continues, the policies of this nation and several other countries show that states internationally are increasingly prepared to delay for the industry to self-regulate.