Over the previous few months, a number of international locations have introduced plans to limit social media entry for kids and youths. Australia grew to become the primary to implement such measures on the finish of final yr, setting a precedent that different international locations are actually carefully watching.
Australia’s rules, together with different international locations’ proposals, goal to scale back the pressures and dangers that younger customers might face on social media, which embrace cyberbullying, dependancy, psychological well being points, and publicity to predators.
In fact, there are issues about privateness relating to invasive age verification and extreme authorities intervention. Critics, together with Amnesty Tech, have stated such bans are ineffective and that they ignore the realities of youthful generations. Regardless of this, many countries are transferring forward with proposed laws.
We’ve compiled a listing of nations which are contemplating or have already moved ahead with bans on social media for younger customers.
Australia
Australia grew to become the world’s first nation to ban social media for kids below 16 in December 2025. The ban blocks youngsters from utilizing Fb, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick. It notably doesn’t embrace WhatsApp or YouTube Children.
The Australian authorities has stated these social media firms should take steps to maintain youngsters off their companies. Corporations that fail to conform might face penalties of as much as $49.5 million AUD ($34.4 million USD).
The federal government says these platforms ought to use a number of verification strategies to make sure that folks utilizing their companies are older than 16. It additionally notes that they will’t depend on customers merely coming into their very own age.
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Denmark
Denmark is about to ban social media platforms for kids below 15. The Danish authorities introduced in November 2025 that it had secured assist for the ban from three governing coalition events and two opposition events in parliament.
The federal government’s plans may turn out to be regulation as quickly as mid-2026, in keeping with the Related Press. The Danish digital affairs ministry can also be launching a “digital proof” app that features age verification instruments that could be used as a part of the ban.
France
In late January, French lawmakers handed a invoice that may ban social media for teenagers below 15. President Emmanuel Macron has supported the measure as a option to defend youngsters from extreme display time.
The invoice nonetheless has to get by the nation’s Senate earlier than a closing vote within the decrease home.
Germany
In early February, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives mentioned a proposal to bar youngsters below 16 from utilizing social media, Reuters reported. Nonetheless, there have been indicators that his center-left coalition companions had been hesitant to assist an outright ban.
Greece
Greece is alleged to be near saying a social media ban for kids below 15, Reuters reported in early February.
Indonesia
Indonesia stated in early March that it plans to ban youngsters below the age of 16 from utilizing social media and different standard on-line platforms. The nation plans to start out with platforms reminiscent of YouTube, TikTok, Fb, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Stay, and Roblox.
Malaysia
The Malaysian authorities stated in November 2025 that it plans to ban social media for kids below 16. The nation plans to implement the ban this yr.
Slovenia
Slovenia is drafting laws to ban youngsters below 15 from accessing social media, the nation’s deputy prime minister introduced in early February. The federal government needs to manage social networks the place content material is shared, citing platforms reminiscent of TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.
Spain
Spain’s prime minister introduced in early February that the nation plans to ban social media for kids below the age of 16. The ban nonetheless wants parliamentary approval. The Spanish authorities can also be in search of to create a regulation that may make social media executives personally accountable for hate speech on their platforms.
UK
The UK is weighing a ban on social media for kids below 16. The federal government says it’ll seek the advice of dad and mom, younger folks, and civil society for his or her views to find out whether or not a ban can be efficient.
It is going to additionally take into account whether or not to require social media firms to restrict or take away options that drive compulsive use, reminiscent of limitless scrolling.
