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The nation's controversial action to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.

Across Europe Movement

Across Europe, a growing group of states are considering comparable measures.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that smartphones and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation may be formalized soon.
• Norway is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban is "an measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has called on the legislature to approve a law lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic motion calling for a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it warns of the "compulsive" design of these services, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age restriction is a good foundation," stated one MEP behind the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "supported by conclusive research".

Previously, support built behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the government vowed to further research the matter.

Charities have expressed concerns. One foundation set up by the relatives of a teenager who died after being exposed to dangerous social media material contends that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are secure and age appropriate for children," said a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

Across America, action is mostly unfolding at the state level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a bill banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a law restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra use needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws mandating adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from various individuals to follow the Australian path, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Outside of these regions, additional nations are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, international bodies strike a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "could backfire". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

While this international conversation continues, the actions of this nation and its followers indicate that governments globally are no longer willing to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.