🔗 Share this article Will Different Nations Emulate Australia's Example in Restricting Social Media for Teenagers Under 16? The Australian controversial policy to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are watching intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world. Across Europe Momentum In Europe, a rising group of states are exploring parallel bans. The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that phones and networks are "stealing our kids' innocence". Legislation may be enacted soon. Norway is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the algorithms". The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "a potential measures under consideration". In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to pass a bill raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16. In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers. The government in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15. Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for minors except if parental consent is granted. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the move does not enact mandatory rules. "An effective age barrier is a good first step," said one European lawmaker behind the resolution. Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach Across Britain, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "supported by robust research". Previously, support built behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the administration committed to investigate the issue. Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. A prominent charity founded by the family of a teenager who was lost after viewing disturbing online content contends that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens turn 16. "Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are secure and fit for minors," said a prominent peer. The US: A Fragmented Landscape Stateside, legislation is largely happening at the regional level against a backdrop of federal gridlock. The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use. The state of Florida has passed a law barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes. The state of Virginia has approved a regulation capping teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with any further access dependent on adult consent. Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures requiring guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media presences. Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some politicians to follow this path, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect. International Outlook Outside of Europe and the US, other nations are likewise exploring options. The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year. Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16. Yet, global organizations adopt a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve safety. As this global conversation continues, the steps of the Australian government and others demonstrate that policymakers around the world are less and less content to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.