These are the international locations shifting to ban social media for kids

Over the previous months, many 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 12 months, setting a precedent that different international locations at the moment are carefully watching. The U.Ok. is the newest nation to announce that it’ll impose a ban on social media use for kids. U.Ok. prime minister Keir Starmer the ban on June 15.

The laws and proposals being introduced forth by governments around the globe goal to scale back the pressures and dangers that younger customers could face on social media, which embrace 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 mentioned 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 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 underneath 16 in December 2025. The ban blocks kids 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 mentioned these social media corporations should take steps to maintain kids off their providers. Corporations that fail to conform could 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’ll’t depend on customers merely coming into their very own age. 

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 predicted to be finalized by June.

Canada

The Canadian authorities launched a digital security invoice in early June that will ban social media for kids underneath 16. Below the laws, social media giants might sidestep the ban in the event that they reveal they’ve insurance policies to guard younger customers. Officers have mentioned it might take a 12 months for the invoice to go.

Denmark

Denmark is set to ban social media platforms for kids underneath 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 develop into legislation as quickly as mid-2026, in response to the Related Press. The Danish digital affairs ministry can be launching a “digital proof” app that features age verification instruments which may be used as a part of the ban.

France

In late January, French lawmakers handed a invoice that will ban social media for teenagers underneath 15. President Emmanuel Macron has supported the measure as a strategy to defend kids from extreme display screen time. 

The invoice nonetheless has to get via the nation’s Senate earlier than a remaining vote within the decrease home.

Germany

In early February, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives mentioned a proposal to bar kids underneath 16 from utilizing social media, Reuters reported. Nevertheless, there have been indicators that his center-left coalition companions have been hesitant to assist an outright ban.

Greece

Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis introduced in April that the nation goes to ban entry to social media for kids underneath 15 beginning January 2027. Mitsotakis says the transfer is geared toward tackling rising anxiousness and sleep issues amongst kids, in addition to the addictive design of social media.

Indonesia

Indonesia mentioned in early March that it’s banning kids underneath the age of 16 from utilizing social media and different fashionable on-line platforms. The nation plans to begin with platforms resembling YouTube, TikTok, Fb, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Reside, and Roblox.

Malaysia 

The Malaysian authorities mentioned in November 2025 that it plans to ban social media for kids underneath 16. The nation plans to implement the ban this 12 months. 

Poland

Poland’s ruling social gathering is drafting new laws that will ban kids underneath 15 from utilizing social media, Bloomberg reported in February.

Slovenia

Slovenia is drafting laws to ban kids underneath 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 underneath the age of 16. The ban nonetheless wants parliamentary approval. The Spanish authorities can be searching for to create a legislation that will make social media executives personally accountable for hate speech on their platforms.

Turkey

The Turkish parliament in April handed a invoice to limit social media entry for kids underneath 15. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan should now settle for the invoice for it to go into legislation.

UK

U.Ok. prime minister Keir Starmer introduced on June 15 that his authorities will impose a ban on social media use for kids underneath 16 years of age. The ban would apply to a variety of social media platforms, together with Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Fb, and X.

Messaging providers like WhatsApp and Sign is not going to be included within the ban. There are additionally going to be limitations on AI instruments, as AI “romantic companion” chatbots should guarantee they’re solely usable by individuals over 18.

Specialists have questioned whether or not a blanket ban could be efficient. Starmer has acknowledged the challenges however mentioned he believes it’s attainable to implement it. He mentioned a ban might be in place by spring 2027.

This story was initially printed in February 2026 and is up to date repeatedly with new info.