🔗 Share this article Might Different Countries Emulate Australia's in Prohibiting Social Media for Teenagers Under 16? The nation's decisive move to ban social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are watching closely to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad. European Momentum Across Europe, a rising group of nations are exploring parallel restrictions. The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". A law may be formalized in the coming year. Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms". Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an similar ban remains "one of the measures under consideration". In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to pass a proposal increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16. In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents. The government in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15. For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is granted. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the step does not enact enforceable legislation. "A strong age restriction is a useful foundation," said one MEP driving the initiative. The UK: A Cautious Approach Across Britain, the administration has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "supported by strong research". Previously, interest built behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to investigate the topic. Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. A prominent charity established by the loved ones of a teenager who died after viewing disturbing online content argues that a strict age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens turn 16. "Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are secure and suitable for young users," said a prominent child protection advocate. The United States: A Decentralized Picture In the United States, action is largely unfolding at the local government level due to federal inaction. Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use. The state of Florida has signed a law barring under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes. The state of Virginia has enacted a law capping teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with extra access needing parental permission. Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed bills demanding parental consent for teenagers to open social media profiles. Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some figures to copy this lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect. International Views Beyond Europe and the US, additional states are also taking action. The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year. Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16. But, international bodies adopt a more cautious position. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could backfire". The body points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize user protection. Even as this global debate evolves, the steps of Australia and others indicate that policymakers around the world are less and less content to wait for platforms to self-regulate.