Over the previous months, many nations have introduced plans to limit social media entry for kids and youths. Australia turned the primary to implement such measures on the finish of final 12 months, setting a precedent that different nations are actually carefully watching. France is now the most recent nation to announce such a measure.
The laws and proposals being introduced forth by governments all over the world purpose to cut back the pressures and dangers that younger customers could 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 turned the world’s first nation to ban social media for kids below 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 stated 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 folks utilizing their providers are older than 16. It additionally notes that they will’t depend on customers merely getting into their very own age.
Austria
Austria stated in late March that it’s going to ban social media for kids as much as the age of 14. Draft laws for the ban is anticipated to be finalized by June.
Canada
The Canadian authorities launched a digital security invoice in early June that may ban social media for kids below 16. Beneath the laws, social media giants might sidestep the ban in the event that they exhibit they’ve insurance policies to guard younger customers. Officers have stated it might take a 12 months for the invoice to go.
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 change into legislation as quickly as mid-2026, in line 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
France handed a legislation on July 21 banning entry to social media for anybody below 15. The legislation might go into impact as quickly as September 1. The legislation may also ban using cellphones in excessive faculties, extending a ban already current in main and center faculties.
Germany
In early February, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives mentioned a proposal to bar kids below 16 from utilizing social media, Reuters reported. Nonetheless, 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 below 15 beginning January 2027. Mitsotakis says the transfer is geared toward tackling rising nervousness and sleep issues amongst kids, in addition to the addictive design of social media.
Indonesia
Indonesia stated in early March that it’s banning kids below 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 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 12 months.
Poland
Poland’s ruling occasion is drafting new laws that may ban kids below 15 from utilizing social media, Bloomberg reported in February.
Slovenia
Slovenia is drafting laws to ban kids 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 looking for to create a legislation that may 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 below 15. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan should now settle for the invoice for it to go into legislation.
UK
U.Okay. prime minister Keir Starmer introduced on June 15 that his authorities will impose a ban on social media use for kids below 16 years of age. The ban would apply to a spread 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 must guarantee they’re solely usable by folks over 18.
Specialists have questioned whether or not a blanket ban could be efficient. Starmer has acknowledged the challenges however stated he believes it’s attainable to implement it. He stated a ban could possibly be in place by spring 2027.
This story was initially printed in February 2026 and is up to date repeatedly with new data.
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