🔗 Share this article Could Other Nations Pursue Australia's Example in Restricting Social Media for Youth Under Sixteen? Australia's decisive move to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are observing intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world. Across Europe Movement In Europe, a growing chorus of countries are considering similar restrictions. The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our kids' youth". The policy may be formalized next year. The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the AI". Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the tools under consideration". In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to approve a proposal increasing the legal age for using social media to 16. In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers. The government in the Netherlands has advised guardians to block their children from social media before 15. At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is given. While it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the move does not establish binding law. "An effective age barrier is a solid foundation," said the parliamentarian supporting the measure. Britain: A Cautious Stance In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "supported by conclusive research". Last year, interest grew behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government vowed to further research the topic. Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. One foundation established by the relatives of a girl who was lost after being exposed to dangerous online content suggests that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens turn 16. "The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a leading peer. America: A State-by-State Approach Across America, legislation is largely happening at the regional level due to national inaction. Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use. The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges. Virginia has passed a law capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional use requiring a guardian's okay. Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed bills mandating guardian approval for teenagers to open social media presences. Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain individuals to mimic this path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely. Worldwide Outlook Apart from these regions, additional states are also considering moves. Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s effective next year. The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16. Yet, world organizations adopt a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards. While this international debate unfolds, the steps of Australia and several other countries show that governments globally are increasingly willing to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.