Countries move worldwide to restrict social media access for children

Governments across the world are increasingly moving to limit or ban children’s access to social media, with more than a dozen countries now considering or implementing laws aimed at protecting young users online.

Australia became the first country to enforce a nationwide restriction when it introduced a ban in December 2025 preventing children under the age of 16 from using major social media platforms. The measure applies to services such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick. Companies that fail to comply can face fines of up to AUD 49.5 million.

Authorities have said platforms must use reliable age-verification systems rather than relying on self-declared ages, according to global media reports.

Following Australia’s move, several European countries have announced similar initiatives.

France approved a bill in January 2026 to block social media use for children under 15, though final Senate approval is still pending. Austria said in March it plans to introduce a ban for users under 14, with draft legislation expected by June. Denmark has also secured broad political support for restricting access for under-15s, with the law potentially taking effect later this year.

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In Greece, the prime minister announced in April that children under 15 would be barred from social media starting January 2027, citing concerns over rising anxiety levels and sleep disruption among young people. Spain has proposed a comparable measure for under-16s, subject to parliamentary approval. Slovenia, Poland, and Germany are also reviewing or preparing similar laws.

Outside Europe, Indonesia announced in March that it intends to ban children under 16 from social media and several other online platforms. Malaysia is planning comparable restrictions for under-16s within the year. In Turkey, parliament has passed legislation limiting access for children under 15, though the bill still requires presidential approval.

The United Kingdom has not yet introduced a ban but is currently consulting parents, youth groups, and civil society organisations on possible restrictions for users under 16. Officials are also examining whether platforms should be required to curb addictive design features such as endless scrolling.

However, not everyone supports the growing trend. Rights groups, including Amnesty Tech, argue that blanket bans may be ineffective, fail to reflect how young people use digital spaces, and raise privacy concerns linked to age-verification systems.

Despite criticism, momentum for tighter regulation of children’s social media use continues to build across multiple regions.