🔗 Share this article Will Other Countries Follow Australia's Example in Restricting Social Platforms for Youth Under Sixteen? The nation's decisive policy to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are observing intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world. Across Europe Movement In Europe, a rising number of nations are exploring similar restrictions. Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that phones and platforms are "taking away our children's innocence". A law is expected to be passed soon. Norway is set to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "power of the algorithms". Ireland is working on a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban is "a potential tools under consideration". In The Spanish government, the leader has urged lawmakers to enact a law increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16. In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents. The government in the Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15. At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a advisory motion calling for a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is provided. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the move does not enact enforceable legislation. "A clear age barrier is a useful starting point," commented one parliamentarian behind the initiative. The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach Across Britain, the administration has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "based on strong evidence". Previously, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic. Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. An organization founded by the family of a young person who died after encountering harmful platform posts contends that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens reach the legal age. "This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to build tools that are secure and suitable for young users," stated a influential peer. America: A Decentralized Picture In the United States, regulation is primarily happening at the state government level amid country-wide inaction. The state of Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits late-night use. The state of Florida has signed a law barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles. The state of Virginia has approved a rule capping under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further access dependent on adult consent. The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills demanding parental consent for under-16s to open social media presences. Despite bipartisan support and calls from some individuals to mimic the Australian path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable. Worldwide Outlook Beyond these regions, additional states are similarly considering moves. Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s effective next year. Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16. Yet, international agencies adopt a more measured stance. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The organization notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve user protection. While this worldwide conversation unfolds, the actions of Australia and its followers indicate that governments internationally are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.