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The nation's controversial action to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

European Momentum

Across Europe, a growing chorus of countries are exploring parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our kids' innocence". Legislation may be enacted next year.
• Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban is "an measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to approve a bill lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a related step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to block their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a symbolic statement supporting a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the step does not enact binding law.

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

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

In the UK, the leadership has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "based on strong research".

Earlier, support built behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to disturbing online content argues that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for young users," stated a influential peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, legislation is mostly happening at the state level amid national inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional use dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed laws mandating guardian approval for minors to create social media accounts.

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

International Views

Outside of the West, other states are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, international agencies strike a more nuanced position. Unicef has warned that social media bans have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in safety.

Even as this worldwide debate continues, the policies of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers internationally are less and less willing to delay for the industry to self-regulate.