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The nation's decisive action to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

In Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are considering comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". A law could be enacted next year.
• Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged parliament to approve a bill lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a related step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a good foundation," said a leading parliamentarian behind the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any action must be "based on robust research".

Earlier, interest built behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the government pledged to further research the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after viewing disturbing platform posts suggests that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," said a prominent peer.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, action is primarily unfolding at the local level amid country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a measure banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a regulation limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed laws mandating adult authorization for minors to open social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and calls from various figures to copy this lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Views

Beyond the West, further countries are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies adopt a more measured tone. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "might backfire". The body points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

Even as this global debate unfolds, the steps of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that states globally are increasingly prepared to wait for the industry to self-regulate.