🔗 Share this article Might Other States Emulate Australia's in Restricting Social Platforms for Teenagers Under 16? The Australian decisive action to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and families are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world. Across Europe Trend Across Europe, a rising number of countries are exploring parallel measures. Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that smartphones and apps are "robbing our children's youth". A law may be enacted in the coming year. Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "influence of the AI". Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the tools under consideration". In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to approve a bill lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16. In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents. The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended families to block their children from social media up to the age of 15. At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory statement calling for a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is provided. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the step does not establish enforceable legislation. "A strong age restriction is a useful first step," commented a leading MEP driving the initiative. The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "supported by robust data". Last year, interest built behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter. Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. An organization established by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after viewing harmful social media material contends that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens turn 16. "The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are secure and age appropriate for young users," commented a prominent online safety campaigner. America: A Fragmented Picture Stateside, action is largely occurring at the regional level due to federal stalemate. The state of Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use. The state of Florida has enacted a bill banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces court battles. Virginia has passed a rule limiting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with any further access needing parental permission. Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws requiring guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media accounts. Even with bipartisan support and calls from some politicians to mimic Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect. Worldwide Views Outside of Europe and the US, other states are similarly taking action. The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year. The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for one major platform to 16. However, world bodies take a more measured tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might backfire". The agency notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve safety. While this international discussion unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries show that states around the world are less and less prepared to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.