🔗 Share this article Could Additional Nations Pursue Australia's Lead in Prohibiting Social Platforms for Under-16s? Australia's decisive policy to ban social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad. Across Europe Momentum Throughout Europe, a growing group of countries are moving toward similar restrictions. Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that phones and platforms are "stealing our children's youth". The policy could be enacted soon. Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the AI". Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media users. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "a potential measures in reserve". In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to pass a proposal increasing the legal age for using social media to 16. In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a related action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds. The government in The Dutch government has advised guardians to restrict their kids from social media before 15. At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is granted. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the step does not enact enforceable legislation. "A clear age barrier is a useful starting point," said a leading European lawmaker supporting the initiative. Britain: A Watchful Approach For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "supported by strong research". Previously, momentum gathered behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration vowed to investigate the matter. Charities have voiced apprehensions. An organization set up by the loved ones of a teenager who died after being exposed to dangerous online content contends that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens turn 16. "The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for young users," said a leading online safety campaigner. The US: A Decentralized Picture Stateside, legislation is largely happening at the regional level amid country-wide stalemate. The state of Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use. Florida has enacted a measure barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles. The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further time requiring parental permission. The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures mandating adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media profiles. Even with bipartisan support and calls from some individuals to copy this example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect. International Views Apart from these regions, other nations are similarly taking action. Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year. Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16. Yet, global agencies adopt a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The organization notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize safety. As this worldwide debate unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and its followers indicate that states around the world are no longer prepared to wait for platforms to self-regulate.