đŸ”— Share this article Might Additional Countries Pursue Australia's in Prohibiting Social Platforms for Teenagers Under 16? The nation's decisive action to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are observing closely to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations. European Momentum In Europe, a growing chorus of countries are considering parallel restrictions. Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and networks are "taking away our children's youth". The policy is expected to be passed next year. Norway is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "power of the algorithms". The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the measures under consideration". In Spain, the prime minister has urged parliament to enact a law lifting the legal age for using social media to 16. In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds. The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended parents to restrict their kids from social media until 15. At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for under-16s without parental consent is provided. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the resolution does not enact binding law. "An effective age barrier is a good first step," stated a leading parliamentarian supporting the initiative. The UK: A Watchful Approach For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by robust data". Previously, support built behind a proposal to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government vowed to further research the matter. Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after encountering harmful social media material suggests that a simple age ban may not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people become eligible. "Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for minors," said a prominent child protection advocate. The United States: A State-by-State Approach Across America, legislation is mostly happening at the regional level due to federal inaction. Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits late-night use. Florida has enacted a law barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges. Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further use dependent on a guardian's okay. Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures demanding guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media profiles. Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain figures to follow Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable. Global Views Apart from these regions, further countries are also exploring options. Malaysia intends to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year. Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16. But, world bodies take a more measured tone. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might backfire". The body points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize safety. As this worldwide conversation evolves, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries show that states around the world are increasingly prepared to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.