🔗 Share this article Might Additional States Emulate Australia's Example in Restricting Online Networks for Under-16s? The nation's decisive action to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad. European Movement Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of states are exploring comparable measures. Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our kids' childhood". A law may be passed next year. Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms". Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "an options in reserve". In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to pass a law lifting the access age for using social media to 16. In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers. The government in The Dutch government has urged guardians to block their youngsters from social media before 15. For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding statement calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is given. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the move does not create binding law. "A strong age restriction is a useful first step," commented one MEP supporting the initiative. Britain: A Cautious Approach For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any action must be "based on conclusive evidence". Previously, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the government vowed to further research the matter. Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. One foundation established by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after viewing dangerous platform posts contends that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age. "The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to create products and services that are appropriate and suitable for young users," said a influential peer. The United States: A Decentralized Landscape Across America, regulation is primarily occurring at the state government level due to federal stalemate. Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and limits overnight use. Florida has signed a law barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges. Virginia has approved a regulation limiting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with extra time requiring a guardian's okay. Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws requiring guardian approval for under-16s to open social media accounts. Even with bipartisan support and proposals from various politicians to copy this example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely. International Perspectives Beyond Europe and the US, additional countries are also exploring options. Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year. Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16. Yet, international agencies adopt a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The body highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve child safeguards. While this worldwide debate continues, the actions of this nation and several other countries show that policymakers globally are increasingly willing to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.