🔗 Share this article Will Additional States Emulate Australia's Example in Banning Online Networks for Under-16s? Australia's controversial action to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations. The European Momentum In Europe, a growing chorus of states are exploring comparable bans. Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". The policy may be enacted soon. Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "power of the algorithms". Ireland is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "one of the tools in reserve". In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to enact a proposal raising the minimum age for using social media to 16. In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents. The authorities in the Netherlands has advised families to block their kids from social media until 15. For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory motion calling for a ban for minors without guardian approval is given. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules. "A strong age limit is a good first step," commented a leading parliamentarian behind the initiative. The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a possible ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any action must be "supported by robust evidence". Last year, momentum built behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the administration committed to further research the topic. Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. An organization established by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after encountering dangerous platform posts suggests that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people turn 16. "The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to create tools that are safe and suitable for young users," said a prominent peer. The US: A State-by-State Landscape Across America, legislation is largely occurring at the regional government level amid national stalemate. Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits overnight use. Florida has passed a bill banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles. Virginia has passed a law restricting minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further time needing a guardian's okay. Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills demanding parental consent for minors to set up social media profiles. Even with widespread concern and proposals from various individuals to mimic the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable. Worldwide Outlook Apart from Europe and the US, further countries are also exploring options. Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year. Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16. However, world bodies strike a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The body points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards. As this international debate unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments internationally are less and less willing to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.