🔗 Share this article Could Other States Follow Australia's in Banning Social Media for Under-16s? The nation's decisive policy to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are watching closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad. European Movement In Europe, a growing number of nations are exploring similar bans. Denmark has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that phones and networks are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". Legislation is expected to be formalized in the coming year. Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems". The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban could be "a potential measures in reserve". In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked parliament to pass a bill increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16. In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a related step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds. The authorities in The Dutch government has advised parents to block their kids from social media until 15. For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding motion calling for a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is provided. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the move does not establish enforceable legislation. "An effective age barrier is a good foundation," said the parliamentarian supporting the initiative. The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by strong data". Earlier, interest built behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. However, the government vowed to further research the issue. Campaign organizations have raised concerns. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after viewing disturbing platform posts suggests that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when users turn 16. "This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to create products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," stated a prominent peer. America: A Fragmented Picture Stateside, action is mostly happening at the state level amid country-wide stalemate. Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use. Florida has enacted a measure banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles. The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional time needing parental permission. Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted laws requiring adult authorization for teenagers to open social media profiles. Despite widespread concern and calls from certain politicians to mimic the Australian lead, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable. International Views Beyond these regions, other nations are likewise considering moves. Malaysia plans to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year. Brazil has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16. Yet, global bodies adopt a more cautious position. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in safety. Even as this global conversation continues, the steps of this nation and others indicate that states internationally are no longer prepared to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.