🔗 Share this article Could Different Countries Emulate Australia's Example in Restricting Social Platforms for Under-16s? The Australian decisive move to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad. Across Europe Momentum Throughout Europe, a increasing number of states are moving toward similar measures. The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our children's childhood". Legislation is expected to be formalized next year. The Norwegian government is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems". Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential options under consideration". In The Spanish government, the leader has called on parliament to enact a bill lifting the legal age for using social media to 16. In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents. The authorities in The Dutch government has urged guardians to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15. Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is provided. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the resolution does not create mandatory rules. "A clear age restriction is a good first step," commented one European lawmaker supporting the initiative. The UK: A Cautious Eye In the UK, the administration has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust research". Earlier, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the government vowed to further research the topic. Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. An organization established by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after encountering harmful platform posts argues that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people become eligible. "This ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are secure and suitable for minors," said a prominent online safety campaigner. The US: A Fragmented Picture Stateside, action is largely unfolding at the regional level amid national inaction. The state of Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use. Florida has enacted a law banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes. Virginia has enacted a law limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further use requiring parental permission. Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures requiring guardian approval for teenagers to open social media accounts. Despite cross-party agreement and calls from various figures to follow this example, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable. Worldwide Views Outside of Europe and the US, further states are likewise exploring options. Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year. The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16. But, global organizations adopt a more measured tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in user protection. While this worldwide discussion evolves, the actions of Australia and its followers show that states globally are less and less willing to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.