🔗 Share this article Might Different Countries Emulate Australia's Example in Restricting Social Media for Teenagers Under 16? The nation's decisive move to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad. European Momentum Across Europe, a growing group of nations are moving toward similar bans. Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' youth". The policy could be enacted soon. Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems". Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an similar ban is "one of the tools under consideration". In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to enact a proposal increasing the legal age for using social media to 16. In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds. The government in The Netherlands has recommended families to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15. Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory resolution demanding a ban for minors except if parental consent is provided. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the move does not enact enforceable legislation. "An effective age barrier is a useful first step," said one MEP behind the initiative. The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "based on strong evidence". Previously, momentum gathered behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government pledged to further research the topic. Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. One foundation set up by the relatives of a girl who died after viewing harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban might not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when users turn 16. "Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are secure and suitable for young users," said a leading online safety campaigner. America: A Decentralized Landscape Stateside, regulation is largely occurring at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction. Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use. Florida has passed a measure barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges. The state of Virginia has approved a regulation restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional access requiring a guardian's okay. Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures demanding adult authorization for under-16s to open social media accounts. Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain individuals to copy Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect. Global Perspectives Apart from Europe and the US, additional nations are similarly exploring options. The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year. Brazil has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16. Yet, global organizations strike a more nuanced tone. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "could backfire". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize safety. While this worldwide discussion unfolds, the steps of this nation and several other countries show that states globally are increasingly content to delay for the industry to self-regulate.