🔗 Share this article Might Additional Nations Follow Australia's Lead in Prohibiting Online Networks for Teenagers Under 16? Australia's decisive action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are watching intently to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad. Across Europe Momentum Throughout Europe, a increasing number of countries are exploring comparable measures. Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that phones and apps are "taking away our children's innocence". A law may be enacted in the coming year. The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the AI". Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential tools on the table". In Spain, the leader has called on parliament to enact a bill lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16. In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents. The authorities in the Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their kids from social media until 15. At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a advisory resolution supporting a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the step does not establish mandatory rules. "A strong age restriction is a solid foundation," stated a leading parliamentarian driving the resolution. The UK: A Cautious Stance In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in conclusive evidence". Last year, support grew behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic. Campaign organizations have raised warnings. A prominent charity established by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to harmful platform posts argues that a strict age ban might not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when young people become eligible. "The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for children," said a prominent child protection advocate. The US: A Fragmented Picture Stateside, legislation is mostly occurring at the regional government level due to federal stalemate. Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use. Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges. Virginia has passed a rule limiting under-16s to one hour of social media use per day, with additional access needing adult consent. Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed laws mandating parental consent for under-16s to open social media profiles. Despite bipartisan support and proposals from some figures to follow the Australian example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable. International Views Outside of Europe and the US, further states are similarly exploring options. The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year. Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16. Yet, global bodies take a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The body notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve user protection. While this worldwide conversation unfolds, the steps of this nation and its followers show that governments around the world are less and less content to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.