Over the previous a number of months, many nations 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 nations are actually intently watching.
Australia’s laws, together with different nations’ proposals, purpose to scale back the pressures and dangers that younger customers might face on social media, which embody cyberbullying, dependancy, 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 mentioned 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 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 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 embody WhatsApp or YouTube Youngsters.
The Australian authorities has mentioned these social media corporations 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’ll’t depend on customers merely coming into their very own age.
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Austria
Austria mentioned in late March that it’ll ban social media for kids as much as the age of 14. Draft laws for the ban is anticipated to be finalized by June.
Denmark
Denmark is set 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 might grow to be regulation as quickly as mid-2026, based on 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 will ban social media for teenagers below 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 via 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. Nevertheless, there have been indicators that his center-left coalition companions had been hesitant to assist an outright ban.
Greece
Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis introduced in April that the nation goes to ban access to social media for kids below 15 beginning January 2027. Mitsotakis says the transfer is aimed toward tackling rising anxiousness and sleep issues amongst youngsters, in addition to the addictive design of social media.
Indonesia
Indonesia mentioned in early March that it’s banning children under the age of 16 from utilizing social media and different fashionable on-line platforms. The nation plans to begin with platforms reminiscent of YouTube, TikTok, Fb, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Dwell, and Roblox.
Malaysia
The Malaysian authorities mentioned in November 2025 that it plans to ban social media for kids below 16. The nation plans to implement the ban this yr.
Poland
Poland’s ruling celebration is drafting new laws that will ban children under 15 from utilizing social media, Bloomberg reported in February.
Slovenia
Slovenia is drafting legislation to ban youngsters below 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 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 will make social media executives personally accountable for hate speech on their platforms.
Turkey
The Turkish parliament in April passed a bill to limit social media entry for kids below 15. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan should now settle for the invoice for it to move into regulation.
UK
The UK is weighing a ban on social media for kids below 16. The federal government says it can 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 could be efficient.
It’ll additionally contemplate whether or not to require social media corporations to restrict or take away options that drive compulsive use, reminiscent of limitless scrolling.
This story was initially revealed in February 2026 and is up to date repeatedly with new info.
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