🔗 Share this article Might Different Countries Follow Australia's in Prohibiting Social Media for Teenagers Under 16? Australia's controversial policy to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world. The European Momentum Throughout Europe, a rising group of states are considering similar restrictions. Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our kids' innocence". The policy may be enacted in the coming year. Norway is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the AI". Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the tools on the table". In The Spanish government, the leader has asked lawmakers to pass a proposal increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16. In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers. The government in The Dutch government has recommended families to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15. At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding statement demanding a ban for minors unless parental consent is given. Although it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the step does not establish enforceable legislation. "A clear age limit is a useful foundation," stated the parliamentarian behind the resolution. The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust evidence". Earlier, support gathered behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to investigate the matter. Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. An organization established by the loved ones of a teenager who died after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when teens reach the legal age. "Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to design tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," stated a influential peer. The United States: A State-by-State Approach Stateside, action is largely happening at the regional level amid federal gridlock. The state of Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and limits overnight use. Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles. The state of Virginia has passed a rule capping minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra use requiring adult consent. Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws demanding parental consent for teenagers to open social media profiles. Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from certain individuals to copy this lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect. Global Views Apart from Europe and the US, further nations are also considering moves. Malaysia aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year. Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16. However, international bodies adopt a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The body highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards. As this worldwide discussion evolves, the actions of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that governments around the world are less and less willing to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.