đź”— Share this article Could Additional Countries Emulate Australia's Example in Banning Online Networks for Under-16s? Australia's bold move to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations. European Movement Throughout Europe, a rising number of states are considering parallel restrictions. Denmark has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our kids' childhood". The policy could be formalized in the coming year. Norway is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the AI". The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "an tools in reserve". In Spain, the president has asked the legislature to pass a law increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16. In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a similar move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents. The authorities in The Netherlands has urged families to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15. For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a symbolic statement demanding a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is provided. While it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the move does not enact enforceable legislation. "A clear age barrier is a solid starting point," stated one parliamentarian driving the initiative. The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach In the UK, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "supported by strong evidence". Previously, support grew behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government committed to further research the issue. Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. One foundation set up by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people become eligible. "The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for minors," stated a prominent online safety campaigner. The US: A Decentralized Landscape Stateside, legislation is primarily unfolding at the state level amid federal gridlock. Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use. The state of Florida has signed a law banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes. Virginia has enacted a regulation capping minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra access requiring adult consent. Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures requiring adult authorization for under-16s to open social media presences. Even with widespread concern and calls from certain individuals to mimic Australia's example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable. Global Perspectives Outside of Europe and the US, further nations are similarly taking action. Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year. Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16. Yet, international organizations strike a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The body highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in safety. Even as this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of Australia and others show that governments around the world are no longer content to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.