🔗 Share this article Might Additional Countries Follow Australia's in Banning Social Media for Youth Under Sixteen? Australia's controversial move to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are observing closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations. Across Europe Momentum Across Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are exploring parallel restrictions. Denmark plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". Legislation is expected to be passed soon. The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "influence of the algorithms". The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "a potential options under consideration". In The Spanish government, the leader has urged parliament to pass a proposal lifting the legal age for using social media to 16. In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a comparable step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers. The authorities in The Netherlands has urged families to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15. For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a non-binding motion calling for a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is granted. While it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these services, the move does not enact enforceable legislation. "A clear age barrier is a good foundation," said one MEP driving the measure. The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in strong data". Previously, support built behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic. Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. One foundation established by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after viewing harmful platform posts contends that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens reach the legal age. "The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for children," commented a influential online safety campaigner. The US: A Fragmented Approach In the United States, action is primarily happening at the state government level due to national inaction. Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use. The state of Florida has passed a law barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges. Virginia has approved a regulation capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional use requiring parental permission. Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced bills requiring guardian approval for under-16s to open social media profiles. Even with cross-party agreement and calls from some politicians to mimic this lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect. International Perspectives Outside of the West, other countries are also taking action. Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year. Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16. But, global organizations strike a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could backfire". The organization notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in user protection. Even as this global conversation evolves, the actions of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that policymakers globally are less and less prepared to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.