đ Share this article Will Additional States Follow Australia's Example in Restricting Social Platforms for Under-16s? Australia's bold action to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad. The European Trend Throughout Europe, a growing group of states are moving toward similar measures. Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation could be enacted in the coming year. The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the AI". Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "one of the options under consideration". In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to enact a law lifting the legal age for using social media to 16. In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds. The government in The Dutch government has advised guardians to block their youngsters from social media until 15. At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. While it cautions of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the step does not create mandatory rules. "A clear age limit is a solid first step," said a leading parliamentarian driving the resolution. Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "based on conclusive data". Last year, support grew behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the government committed to conduct more studies the issue. Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after encountering disturbing online content contends that a strict age ban may not protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens reach the legal age. "The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to create tools that are appropriate and fit for children," said a prominent child protection advocate. America: A Decentralized Approach In the United States, regulation is primarily occurring at the regional government level due to federal inaction. The state of Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use. The state of Florida has signed a bill prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles. Virginia has passed a law restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra use dependent on parental permission. Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted measures mandating adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media presences. Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some figures to copy this path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect. Global Perspectives Beyond the West, other states are likewise taking action. The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for under-16s effective next year. Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16. But, international bodies adopt a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards. While this international discussion continues, the steps of this nation and its followers indicate that policymakers internationally are no longer prepared to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.