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The nation's controversial move to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

Across Europe, a increasing group of states are exploring similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that phones and apps are "stealing our children's childhood". Legislation could be enacted next year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "influence of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an similar ban could be "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to approve a bill raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to prevent their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding statement calling for a ban for minors without parental consent is provided. While it cautions of the "addictive" design of these apps, the move does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age barrier is a good first step," commented the MEP driving the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by robust evidence".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have voiced warnings. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to harmful platform posts contends that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to create products and services that are appropriate and fit for minors," said a influential child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, legislation is largely unfolding at the local level due to country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a bill banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a law capping minors to one hour of social media use per day, with additional access dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures demanding parental consent for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some individuals to follow this path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.

International Views

Outside of Europe and the US, further states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world agencies take a more cautious tone. Unicef has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "may even backfire". The agency notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

While this worldwide debate evolves, the actions of this nation and its followers show that states globally are increasingly content to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.