🔗 Share this article Might Different States Emulate Australia's in Restricting Social Platforms for Youth Under Sixteen? Australia's decisive move to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are watching intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations. Across Europe Movement Across Europe, a increasing group of nations are considering parallel bans. Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that phones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". A law may be enacted next year. Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "power of the AI". Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "one of the options in reserve". In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to approve a proposal increasing the access age for joining social media to 16. In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds. The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended families to block their kids from social media before 15. At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding motion supporting a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the move does not establish enforceable legislation. "A clear age barrier is a good starting point," stated one MEP driving the resolution. The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in strong evidence". Last year, interest built behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the issue. Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after viewing harmful social media material contends that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens turn 16. "Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to design products and services that are secure and fit for minors," commented a leading peer. The United States: A Decentralized Picture In the United States, action is primarily unfolding at the regional level due to national gridlock. The state of Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and controls late-night use. The state of Florida has passed a measure prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes. Virginia has passed a regulation restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra use needing parental permission. Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills mandating adult authorization for minors to set up social media accounts. Despite widespread concern and calls from some figures to follow Australia's path, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect. Worldwide Perspectives Beyond Europe and the US, further states are likewise taking action. Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year. Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16. Yet, international bodies take a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards. As this international discussion unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and others show that policymakers around the world are less and less willing to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.