🔗 Share this article Will Additional Countries Follow Australia's in Restricting Social Media for Under-16s? The Australian controversial move to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are watching intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world. European Trend Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of nations are moving toward parallel restrictions. Denmark has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' youth". The policy could be enacted soon. Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems". Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban could be "an options under consideration". In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to enact a proposal lifting the minimum 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 suggested a similar move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers. The administration in The Dutch government has recommended parents to block their youngsters from social media before 15. At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic statement calling for a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is given. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules. "An effective age restriction is a useful starting point," said one European lawmaker supporting the initiative. Britain: A Watchful Eye Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "supported by strong evidence". Last year, interest grew behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. However, the government vowed to investigate the topic. Campaign organizations have raised concerns. One foundation established by the family of a girl who was lost after being exposed to harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens reach the legal age. "The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to create tools that are safe and fit for young users," stated a leading child protection advocate. America: A State-by-State Landscape Stateside, regulation is mostly occurring at the local level due to national inaction. Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and limits overnight use. The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes. Virginia has enacted a rule limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional access dependent on adult consent. Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed measures demanding parental consent for teenagers to open social media profiles. Even with bipartisan support and calls from various figures to copy the Australian lead, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect. Global Perspectives Outside of the West, additional countries are likewise taking action. Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year. The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16. Yet, global organizations take a more measured tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "may even backfire". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve child safeguards. While this international discussion evolves, the steps of this nation and its followers indicate that policymakers internationally are less and less content to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.