🔗 Share this article Will Additional States Pursue Australia's Lead in Prohibiting Social Media for Youth Under Sixteen? The Australian bold action to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are watching intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations. Across Europe Trend Across Europe, a growing group of countries are considering parallel bans. The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our kids' innocence". Legislation is expected to be formalized next year. The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems". Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "a potential tools on the table". In Spain, the president has asked parliament to enact a proposal raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16. In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers. The government in The Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their kids from social media until 15. At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the move does not create binding law. "An effective age limit is a useful foundation," commented the parliamentarian driving the initiative. The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance Across Britain, the administration has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "based on robust research". Last year, interest built behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. However, the administration pledged to further research the matter. Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a teenager who died after encountering dangerous social media material suggests that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people become eligible. "Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to create tools that are secure and fit for young users," commented a prominent child protection advocate. The United States: A Decentralized Landscape Stateside, regulation is largely happening at the state level due to federal stalemate. Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use. Florida has enacted a measure banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes. The state of Virginia has approved a regulation capping teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with extra access dependent on a guardian's okay. Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed laws requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media accounts. Despite bipartisan support and proposals from certain figures to follow Australia's lead, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely. Worldwide Perspectives Outside of the West, additional nations are similarly taking action. Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year. The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16. But, international bodies take a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards. As this international discussion continues, the policies of this nation and others indicate that policymakers globally are less and less willing to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.