Countries across Europe, Asia and North America are moving to limit children’s access to social media, citing concerns over cyberbullying, addiction, mental health and online safety.
Australia became the first country to implement a nationwide social media ban for children under 16 in December 2025. Since then, several governments have announced or proposed similar measures.
Critics, including Amnesty Tech, argue that such restrictions could raise privacy concerns and may not address how younger generations use digital platforms.
Australia
Australia’s law prohibits children under 16 from accessing platforms including:
- Snapchat
- Threads
- TikTok
- X
- YouTube
- Twitch
- Kick
The ban excludes WhatsApp and YouTube Kids.
Companies that fail to prevent underage users could face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($34.4 million).
Platforms are required to use multiple age-verification methods and cannot rely solely on self-reported ages.
Countries considering or pursuing bans
Austria
Austria plans to ban social media for children under 14.
Draft legislation is expected to be finalized by June.
Canada
Canada introduced a digital safety bill in June that would prohibit social media use by children under 16.
Platforms could avoid the restriction if they demonstrate sufficient safeguards for young users.
Officials estimate the bill could take about a year to pass.
Denmark
Denmark plans to prohibit social media access for users under 15.
The proposal has support from three governing coalition parties and two opposition parties.
The government expects the law could take effect by mid-2026.
Authorities are also developing a “digital evidence” app that includes age-verification tools.
France
French lawmakers approved a bill in January to ban social media for children under 15.
President Emmanuel Macron has backed the measure.
The legislation still requires Senate approval before a final vote in the lower house.
Germany
Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives discussed restricting social media access for children under 16.
Reuters reported that coalition partners from the centre-left have shown reservations about a complete ban.
Greece
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that Greece intends to restrict social media access for children under 15 beginning in January 2027.
The government cited anxiety, sleep problems and addictive platform designs as reasons for the move.
Indonesia
Indonesia announced plans in March to prohibit children under 16 from using social media and several online platforms.
The restrictions are expected to cover:
- YouTube
- TikTok
- Threads
- X
- Bigo Live
- Roblox
Malaysia
Malaysia said it plans to ban social media use by children under 16.
Authorities expect to implement the measure this year.
Poland
According to Bloomberg, Poland’s ruling party is drafting legislation that would ban social media for children under 15.
Slovenia
Slovenia is preparing legislation to restrict access for users under 15.
Officials cited platforms such as:
- TikTok
- Snapchat
Spain
Spain plans to prohibit social media use by children under 16, subject to parliamentary approval.
The government is also seeking legislation that would make social media executives personally responsible for hate speech on their platforms.
Turkey
Turkey’s parliament approved a bill in April to restrict access for children under 15.
The legislation now requires approval from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
United Kingdom
The UK government is considering a ban on social media for children under 16.
Officials plan to consult parents, young people and civil society groups before making a decision.
The government is also examining whether companies should be required to limit features associated with compulsive use, including infinite scrolling.
Trend gathers pace
Australia’s move has become a reference point for governments exploring tighter regulation of social media platforms.
While approaches vary, many proposals focus on users between 14 and 16 years old and rely on age-verification measures to enforce restrictions.
TL;DR
Australia has already banned social media for children under 16, and countries including France, Greece, Indonesia, Spain and the UK are considering or pursuing similar measures amid concerns over mental health, addiction and online safety.
AI summary
- Australia implemented a social media ban for under-16s in December 2025.
- More than a dozen countries are considering similar restrictions.
- Most proposals target users aged 14 to 16.
- Governments cite mental health and online safety concerns.
- Critics warn about privacy and enforcement challenges.
