🔗 Share this article Might Additional Countries Emulate Australia's in Banning Online Networks for Under-16s? Australia's bold policy to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and families are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world. Across Europe Trend Across Europe, a rising group of countries are moving toward similar bans. Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that phones and networks are "taking away our youngsters' youth". A law is expected to be formalized next year. Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "influence of the recommendation systems". Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "an options under consideration". In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked the legislature to approve a law increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16. In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a related step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents. The administration in the Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15. At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a symbolic motion demanding a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is given. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the resolution does not create mandatory rules. "An effective age limit is a good starting point," commented the MEP behind the initiative. The UK: A Cautious Approach In the UK, the administration has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by strong data". Earlier, support built behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. However, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter. Campaign organizations have raised concerns. A prominent charity founded by the family of a young person who was lost after encountering harmful platform posts suggests that a strict age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when young people turn 16. "Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for minors," stated a influential child protection advocate. America: A State-by-State Picture Stateside, action is mostly unfolding at the state government level due to country-wide inaction. Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use. The state of Florida has passed a bill barring those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces court battles. Virginia has enacted a rule restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further time requiring adult consent. Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws demanding adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media profiles. Despite bipartisan support and calls from some politicians to mimic the Australian lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely. International Perspectives Apart from these regions, further countries are also considering moves. Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year. Brazil has increased the required age for Instagram to 16. But, international agencies adopt a more measured stance. Unicef has warned that social media bans have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards. While this global conversation unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments globally are increasingly willing to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.