🔗 Share this article Might Additional Countries Pursue Australia's in Restricting Social Media for Teenagers Under 16? Australia's decisive policy to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world. Across Europe Momentum Throughout Europe, a rising number of nations are exploring comparable bans. Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and apps are "taking away our kids' youth". A law is expected to be formalized in the coming year. Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the AI". The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential measures under consideration". In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to pass a bill raising the legal age for joining social media to 16. In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents. The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended families to block their children from social media before 15. Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a advisory statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation. "An effective age limit is a good foundation," said the parliamentarian supporting the measure. The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "based on conclusive data". Last year, support grew behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic. Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after encountering dangerous social media material argues that a simple age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when users reach the legal age. "The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for children," commented a leading peer. The United States: A Fragmented Approach In the United States, regulation is largely happening at the local level due to federal stalemate. Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use. The state of Florida has enacted a law barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles. The state of Virginia has approved a regulation capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra time needing parental permission. Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws requiring guardian approval for teenagers to create social media presences. Despite bipartisan support and calls from various individuals to follow this example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely. Global Views Outside of the West, further states are likewise taking action. The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year. Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16. However, international bodies take a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The body notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in user protection. While this worldwide debate continues, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that states internationally are increasingly content to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.