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The nation's bold policy to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Movement

In Europe, a rising number of nations are moving toward similar measures.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that phones and apps are "taking away our kids' childhood". Legislation could be passed soon.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "an measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to enact a proposal increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a comparable move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged families to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a advisory motion demanding a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is given. Although it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a useful starting point," commented one European lawmaker supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any action must be "grounded in robust research".

Earlier, support grew behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the administration committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to disturbing social media material contends that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for minors," stated a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, legislation is primarily happening at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a rule capping minors to one hour of social media time per day, with additional access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws mandating parental consent for minors to set up social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from certain politicians to follow this path, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Beyond Europe and the US, other countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, world bodies adopt a more cautious position. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

As this international debate unfolds, the steps of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers internationally are no longer willing to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.