Global Efforts to Restrict Social Media Access for Young Users

Over the past few months, several countries have announced plans to restrict social media access for children and teens, citing concerns about cyberbullying, addiction, mental health issues, and exposure to predators. The push to regulate social media usage among minors has gained momentum, with multiple nations introducing or proposing legislation to limit their access to these platforms.

Australia Pioneers the Way

Australia became the first country to implement a ban on social media for children under 16 in December 2025. The Australian government has mandated that social media companies use multiple verification methods to ensure users are older than 16, as relying solely on user-entered age information is deemed insufficient. Companies that fail to comply may face penalties of up to $49.5 million AUD ($34.4 million USD).

Other Countries Follow Suit

Austria has announced plans to ban social media for children up to the age of 14, with draft legislation expected to be finalized by June. The Canadian government introduced a digital safety bill in early June that would ban social media for children under 16, providing an exemption for companies that demonstrate they have policies to protect young users. Denmark is set to ban social media platforms for children under 15, with the government’s plans potentially becoming law as soon as mid-2026.

France has passed a law banning access to social media for anyone under 15, which could go into effect as soon as September 1. The law also includes a ban on the use of cellphones in high schools, extending a restriction already present in primary and middle schools. Germany’s conservatives have proposed a ban on social media for children under 16, although there are signs that the center-left coalition partners are hesitant to support an outright ban.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced plans to ban access to social media for children under 15 starting January 2027, citing concerns about rising anxiety and sleep problems among children. Indonesia has banned children under the age of 16 from using social media and other popular online platforms, with the country planning to start with platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox.

The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for children under 16, with the country aiming to implement the ban this year. Poland’s ruling party is drafting new legislation that would ban children under 15 from using social media, while Slovenia is working on legislation to prohibit children under 15 from accessing social media. Spain’s prime minister has announced plans to ban social media for children under the age of 16, which still requires parliamentary approval.

The Turkish parliament has passed a bill to restrict social media access for children under 15, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan needing to accept the bill for it to pass into law. The U.K. government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has announced plans to impose a ban on social media use for children under 16 years of age, with the ban potentially being in place by spring 2027.

Experts have questioned the effectiveness of blanket bans, citing concerns about invasive age verification and excessive government intervention. Critics, including Amnesty Tech, have argued that such bans are ineffective and ignore the realities of younger generations.

Despite these concerns, many countries are moving forward with proposed legislation, citing the need to protect young users from the pressures and risks associated with social media.

Key Points and Statistics

• Australia was the first country to implement a ban on social media for children under 16 in December 2025.
• The Australian government has set a precedent for other countries to follow, with multiple nations introducing or proposing legislation to limit social media access for minors.
• Denmark’s government has secured support for a ban on social media for children under 15 from three governing coalition parties and two opposition parties in parliament.
• France has passed a law banning access to social media for anyone under 15, which could go into effect as soon as September 1.
• The U.K. government has announced plans to impose a ban on social media use for children under 16 years of age, with the ban potentially being in place by spring 2027.