A growing number of countries around the world have announced plans to restrict or ban social media access for children and teenagers, with Australia already implementing such a law and more than a dozen other nations at various stages of legislation.
Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media for children under 16, with the law taking effect in December 2025. The ban covers Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick, though WhatsApp and YouTube Kids are excluded. Social media companies that fail to comply face penalties of up to $49.5 million AUD (approximately $34.4 million USD). The Australian government requires platforms to use multiple verification methods — not simply self-reported ages — to confirm users are 16 or older.
Several European countries are pursuing similar measures. France passed a bill in early 2026 banning social media for children under 15, though it still requires Senate approval before a final vote. Denmark secured cross-party parliamentary support in November 2025 for a ban on children under 15 and could have legislation in place by mid-2026. Austria announced in late March 2026 that it will ban social media for children under 14, with draft legislation expected to be finalized by June. Spain’s prime minister announced in early February 2026 a proposed ban for children under 16, pending parliamentary approval. Poland, Slovenia, and Germany are also drafting or discussing similar legislation, with age thresholds ranging from 15 to 16.
Outside Europe, Indonesia announced in March 2026 that it is banning children under 16 from social media and other popular online platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Roblox. Malaysia said in November 2025 that it plans to implement a ban for children under 16 during 2026. Turkey’s parliament passed a bill in April 2026 restricting access for children under 15, which now awaits presidential approval. Greece’s prime minister announced in April 2026 that a ban for children under 15 will take effect in January 2027. The United Kingdom is consulting parents, young people, and civil society to determine whether a ban on children under 16 would be effective.
Governments cite a range of concerns driving the legislation, including cyberbullying, addiction, mental health issues, exposure to predators, rising anxiety, and sleep problems among young users. Greece’s prime minister also pointed to the addictive design of social media platforms as a factor.
The measures are not without opposition. Critics, including Amnesty Tech, have argued that such bans are ineffective and fail to reflect the realities of younger generations. Privacy concerns have also been raised over the invasive nature of age verification systems and the level of government intervention involved. Despite this, the majority of countries reviewing such legislation are continuing to move forward.
Source: TechCrunch