đŸ”— Share this article Could Additional Countries Pursue Australia's Example in Banning Online Networks for Youth Under Sixteen? The Australian decisive move to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are observing intently to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world. Across Europe Movement In Europe, a rising chorus of states are considering similar restrictions. The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our kids' childhood". Legislation may be formalized next year. The Norwegian government is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "power of the AI". Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban remains "a potential options under consideration". In Spain, the president has urged lawmakers to approve a proposal raising the legal age for using social media to 16. In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds. The government in The Netherlands has recommended families to block their youngsters from social media before 15. Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a non-binding motion calling for a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is granted. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the move does not establish mandatory rules. "A clear age barrier is a useful starting point," commented a leading parliamentarian driving the resolution. The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "based on conclusive data". Earlier, support gathered behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration committed to further research the issue. Charities have raised warnings. An organization established by the family of a young person who was lost after encountering harmful social media material contends that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people reach the legal age. "Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for children," said a influential peer. The US: A Decentralized Picture Stateside, regulation is primarily occurring at the regional government level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate. Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use. The state of Florida has signed a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes. Virginia has enacted a law restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional access dependent on a guardian's okay. Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced measures demanding guardian approval for under-16s to open social media profiles. Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some individuals to copy Australia's example, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely. Worldwide Views Outside of Europe and the US, additional countries are also considering moves. Malaysia intends to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year. Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16. But, world bodies strike a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The agency notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve user protection. While this international debate continues, the actions of Australia and others demonstrate that governments internationally are no longer content to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.