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The nation's controversial action to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and parents are observing closely to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a growing group of countries are moving toward comparable bans.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". A law is expected to be formalized soon.
• Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an similar ban is "one of the options in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has urged parliament to pass a proposal increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a related move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised families to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory motion demanding a ban for minors except if parental consent is provided. While it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age restriction is a good starting point," said a leading European lawmaker behind the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "based on conclusive research".

Last year, interest grew behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the administration vowed to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns. An organization set up by the loved ones of a young person who died after being exposed to harmful social media material suggests that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to create tools that are secure and suitable for minors," commented a influential peer.

America: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, action is primarily unfolding at the regional government level due to federal gridlock.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation capping minors to one hour of social media time per day, with extra use needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws mandating parental consent for minors to set up social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from various figures to copy Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Views

Apart from the West, other nations are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global agencies adopt a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The body notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

Even as this international discussion continues, the steps of this nation and others show that states around the world are increasingly willing to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.