🔗 Share this article Might Other Nations Follow Australia's Example in Banning Social Media for Under-16s? Australia's controversial action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad. The European Movement In Europe, a growing chorus of countries are moving toward parallel bans. The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our kids' innocence". A law is expected to be passed next year. The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "influence of the AI". Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential tools in reserve". In Spain, the prime minister has urged parliament to pass a bill lifting the minimum age for joining 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 move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers. The administration in The Netherlands has advised families to prevent their children from social media until 15. Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic statement demanding a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these services, the move does not establish enforceable legislation. "A strong age limit is a solid first step," commented the parliamentarian supporting the resolution. The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "based on strong data". Last year, support gathered behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the issue. Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. An organization founded by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to disturbing online content suggests that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people reach the legal age. "This ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to create products and services that are secure and age appropriate for young users," commented a influential peer. The United States: A Fragmented Landscape In the United States, regulation is mostly unfolding at the regional level amid federal inaction. Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and limits overnight use. Florida has signed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles. Virginia has approved a regulation restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further time requiring parental permission. Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills demanding guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media accounts. Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from some politicians to copy the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable. Worldwide Perspectives Beyond these regions, other states are also exploring options. Malaysia intends to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year. Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16. But, global agencies take a more nuanced position. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even backfire". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in safety. While this worldwide debate evolves, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that policymakers internationally are no longer willing to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.