Over the previous a number of months, many nations have introduced plans to limit social media entry for youngsters and youths. Australia became the first to implement such measures on the finish of final 12 months, setting a precedent that different nations are actually intently watching.
Australia’s rules, together with different nations’ proposals, purpose to scale back the pressures and dangers that younger customers could face on social media, which embody cyberbullying, dependancy, psychological well being points, and publicity to predators.
In fact, there are considerations 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 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 youngsters 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 stated these social media corporations should take steps to maintain youngsters 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.
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Austria
Austria stated in late March that it’s going to ban social media for youngsters as much as the age of 14. Draft laws for the ban is predicted to be finalized by June.
Denmark
Denmark is set to ban social media platforms for youngsters 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 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 which may be used as a part of the ban.
France
In late January, French lawmakers passed a bill that might ban social media for youths below 15. President Emmanuel Macron has supported the measure as a solution to shield youngsters from extreme display screen time.
The invoice nonetheless has to get by way of 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 youngsters 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 access to social media for youngsters below 15 beginning January 2027. Mitsotakis says the transfer is aimed toward tackling rising nervousness and sleep issues amongst youngsters, in addition to the addictive design of social media.
Indonesia
Indonesia stated in early March that it’s banning children under the age of 16 from utilizing social media and different widespread on-line platforms. The nation plans to start out with platforms akin to 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 youngsters below 16. The nation plans to implement the ban this 12 months.
Poland
Poland’s ruling occasion is drafting new laws that might 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 control social networks the place content material is shared, citing platforms akin to TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.
Spain
Spain’s prime minister introduced in early February that the nation plans to ban social media for youngsters below the age of 16. The ban nonetheless wants parliamentary approval. The Spanish authorities can also be looking for to create a legislation that might 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 youngsters below 15. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan should now settle for the invoice for it to go into legislation.
UK
The UK is weighing a ban on social media for youngsters below 16. The federal government says it’s going to seek the advice of mother and father, younger folks, and civil society for his or her views to find out whether or not a ban can be efficient.
It should additionally take into account whether or not to require social media corporations to restrict or take away options that drive compulsive use, akin to limitless scrolling.
This story was initially printed in February 2026 and is up to date usually with new data.
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