🔗 Share this article Will Other Countries Pursue Australia's Example in Restricting Social Platforms for Teenagers Under 16? The nation's decisive action to ban social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad. The European Movement Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are exploring comparable measures. Denmark plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that smartphones and networks are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation is expected to be passed in the coming year. Norway is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "power of the algorithms". The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban is "an tools in reserve". In The Spanish government, the president has called on parliament to approve a proposal lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16. In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a related action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers. The government in The Dutch government has recommended families to prevent their kids from social media before 15. At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the resolution does not enact binding law. "A clear age restriction is a solid foundation," stated one MEP behind the initiative. Britain: A Cautious Approach For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in conclusive evidence". Last year, interest built behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to investigate the matter. Charities have raised warnings. An organization established by the relatives of a teenager who died after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when young people become eligible. "This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and suitable for children," said a leading peer. The US: A Fragmented Approach Across America, legislation is largely unfolding at the state government level amid federal inaction. The state of Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use. Florida has passed a measure banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes. Virginia has approved a law capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further time requiring adult consent. Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures requiring guardian approval for under-16s to create social media presences. Even with widespread concern and suggestions from some individuals to mimic the Australian path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely. Global Views Apart from Europe and the US, additional nations are likewise taking action. Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year. Brazil has raised the required age for Instagram to 16. But, global bodies strike a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The body points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve child safeguards. While this global debate continues, the policies of Australia and several other countries indicate that policymakers globally are increasingly prepared to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.