🔗 Share this article Could Different Nations Emulate Australia's Example in Restricting Social Platforms for Under-16s? Australia's bold action to ban social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world. Across Europe Trend Across Europe, a rising chorus of countries are moving toward parallel restrictions. Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that phones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". A law could be passed next year. Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "influence of the AI". Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an similar ban could be "one of the options in reserve". In Spain, the president has called on lawmakers to pass a proposal lifting the legal age for using social media to 16. In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a related move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds. The administration in The Netherlands has advised families to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15. Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is granted. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the move does not enact enforceable legislation. "A strong age barrier is a good starting point," commented one parliamentarian behind the initiative. The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by strong data". Earlier, support gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the government pledged to further research the issue. Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. One foundation founded by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after encountering disturbing online content suggests that a simple age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when users turn 16. "This ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to create tools that are secure and fit for young users," said a influential online safety campaigner. America: A Fragmented Picture In the United States, legislation is largely occurring at the local level due to country-wide stalemate. The state of Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use. The state of Florida has passed a measure barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles. The state of Virginia has enacted a rule capping teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further access dependent on a guardian's okay. Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures demanding guardian approval for minors to open social media accounts. Even with widespread concern and proposals from some figures to copy this lead, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable. Global Outlook Apart from Europe and the US, further nations are similarly considering moves. Malaysia plans to ban social media for teenagers effective next year. Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16. But, global agencies strike a more measured stance. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans carry risks and "could backfire". The agency points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve child safeguards. As this global conversation unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that states internationally are less and less content to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.