🔗 Share this article Might Other States Emulate Australia's Lead in Prohibiting Online Networks for Teenagers Under 16? Australia's decisive policy to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad. Across Europe Momentum In Europe, a growing group of countries are exploring parallel restrictions. Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that phones and platforms are "taking away our kids' childhood". The policy could be passed in the coming year. Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the algorithms". Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "an tools in reserve". In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to pass a bill increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16. In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a related action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents. The authorities in The Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their children from social media before 15. Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is granted. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation. "A clear age limit is a solid starting point," commented the MEP driving the initiative. The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in conclusive data". Previously, support grew behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. However, the government vowed to further research the matter. Charities have voiced concerns. A prominent charity set up by the family of a young person who died after encountering dangerous social media material contends that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people become eligible. "This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for minors," commented a leading peer. The United States: A Decentralized Landscape Across America, legislation is primarily happening at the local government level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock. Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use. Florida has signed a law barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles. The state of Virginia has passed a law capping minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further use needing parental permission. The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws requiring parental consent for under-16s to create social media accounts. Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some politicians to follow Australia's path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable. Global Perspectives Beyond Europe and the US, additional nations are similarly exploring options. Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year. Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16. However, world agencies strike a more nuanced stance. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The body highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in safety. As this international conversation continues, the policies of this nation and others demonstrate that states internationally are no longer willing to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.