Over the previous few months, a number of international locations have introduced plans to limit social media entry for kids and teenagers. Australia grew to become the primary to implement such measures on the finish of final 12 months, setting a precedent that different international locations are actually carefully watching.
Australia’s laws, together with different international locations’ proposals, goal to cut back the pressures and dangers that younger customers might face on social media, which embody cyberbullying, habit, psychological well being points, and publicity to predators.
In fact, there are issues about privateness concerning 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 shifting forward with proposed laws.
We’ve compiled a listing of nations which might be 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 beneath 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 embody WhatsApp or YouTube Youngsters.
The Australian authorities has stated these social media corporations should take steps to maintain youngsters off their providers. 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 individuals utilizing their providers are older than 16. It additionally notes that they will’t depend on customers merely coming into their very own age.
Techcrunch occasion
San Francisco, CA
|
October 13-15, 2026
Denmark
Denmark is set to ban social media platforms for kids beneath 15. The Danish authorities introduced in November 2025 that it had secured help for the ban from three governing coalition events and two opposition events in parliament.
The federal government’s plans might turn out to be regulation as quickly as mid-2026, in response to 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 passed a bill that might ban social media for teenagers beneath 15. President Emmanuel Macron has supported the measure as a option to shield youngsters from extreme display screen time.
The invoice nonetheless has to get by the nation’s Senate earlier than a last vote within the decrease home.
Germany
In early February, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives mentioned a proposal to bar youngsters beneath 16 from utilizing social media, Reuters reported. Nonetheless, there have been indicators that his center-left coalition companions have been hesitant to help an outright ban.
Greece
Greece is claimed to be near saying a social media ban for kids beneath 15, Reuters reported in early February.
Indonesia
Indonesia stated in early March that it plans to ban children under the age of 16 from utilizing social media and different common on-line platforms. The nation plans to start out with platforms resembling YouTube, TikTok, Fb, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Dwell, and Roblox.
Malaysia
The Malaysian authorities stated in November 2025 that it plans to ban social media for kids beneath 16. The nation plans to implement the ban this 12 months.
Slovenia
Slovenia is drafting legislation to ban youngsters beneath 15 from accessing social media, the nation’s deputy prime minister introduced in early February. The federal government desires to manage social networks the place content material is shared, citing platforms resembling TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.
Spain
Spain’s prime minister introduced in early February that the nation plans to ban social media for kids beneath the age of 16. The ban nonetheless wants parliamentary approval. The Spanish authorities can also be in search of to create a regulation that might make social media executives personally accountable for hate speech on their platforms.
UK
The UK is weighing a ban on social media for kids beneath 16. The federal government says it’s going to seek the advice of dad and mom, younger individuals, and civil society for his or her views to find out whether or not a ban could be efficient.
It is going to additionally think about whether or not to require social media corporations to restrict or take away options that drive compulsive use, resembling countless scrolling.
