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Global Governments Tighten Social Media Rules For Under-16 Users

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

April 24, 2026

Governments across multiple regions are introducing new restrictions on social media use by children and teenagers, as concerns over cyberbullying, excessive screen time, mental health and online safety continue to shape policy decisions.

Australia Sets The Precedent

Australia became the first country to adopt a nationwide ban on social media use for individuals under the age of 16, with the measure set to take effect in December 2025. The regulation applies to major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit and Twitch. Companies will be required to implement multi-layered age verification systems that go beyond self-declared data. Non-compliance could result in penalties of up to $49.5 million AUD, making enforcement a central component of the policy.

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European And Asian Regulatory Movements

Several European countries are moving in a similar direction, though with varying thresholds. Austria and Denmark are considering restrictions for users under 14 and 15, respectively. In France, lawmakers have approved legislation limiting access for children under 15, a move supported by President Emmanuel Macron as part of efforts to address excessive screen time.

Divergent Approaches In Germany And Beyond

In Germany, proposals backed by conservative policymakers suggest restricting access for users under 16, though coalition partners remain divided on implementation. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Malaysia have outlined plans to introduce similar limits, targeting widely used platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Parallel discussions are underway in Poland and Slovenia, where policymakers are considering additional safeguards for younger users.

Legislative Movements In Southern Europe And The Middle East

Greece plans to introduce a ban for users under 15 starting in January 2027, according to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who linked the measure to rising anxiety and sleep-related issues among young people. Spain is considering similar restrictions for users under 16 and is also evaluating stronger accountability measures for platform operators. In Turkey, parliament has approved a bill targeting users under 15, pending presidential approval.

Consultative Process In The United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is assessing a potential ban for users under 16. Authorities are consulting parents, young people and civil society groups, while also considering whether platforms should limit features designed to increase user engagement.

Debate And Industry Response

Critics, including Amnesty Tech, argue that strict age verification measures may raise privacy concerns and fail to address the complexity of young users’ online behavior. Despite these concerns, governments continue to advance regulation, signalling a broader shift toward tighter oversight of social media access for minors.

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A New Twitter-Inspired Social Network Is Taking Shape

by News Editor

August 27, 2026

A new social network called Twitter.now is entering the market, with a founding team that includes former Twitter trademark counsel Stephen Coates. The service is being developed by startup Operation Bluebird.

As Ars Technica reported, X sued the company last year and asked a Delaware judge to block the launch. Operation Bluebird argued in a petition that X had abandoned trademarks including “Twitter” and “Tweet.”

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Coates has said the project is not an attempt to recreate the original Twitter. In a LinkedIn post, he described the platform as a new public space focused on trust, transparency and user choice.

AI System To Rate Posts

Twitter.now is currently being tested, with early access priced at $20. Its main feature is VERA, an AI system designed to evaluate posts, verify claims and provide sources and context.

Posts receive a trust score, with users eventually able to set a minimum score to filter their feeds. The company says this approach will give people more control over what they see instead of leaving those decisions entirely to an algorithm.

Moderation Remains A Challenge

Scaling moderation will be one of the platform’s biggest tests. Social networks have repeatedly struggled with content moderation as their communities grow, and newer platforms such as Bluesky have faced similar criticism.

Operation Bluebird says VERA will form the basis of its moderation and verification system. A second version is already planned, with expanded tools that would let users set a specific trust threshold for the posts appearing in their feeds.

For now, Twitter.now remains in an early testing phase, combining the familiarity of the Twitter name with an AI-driven approach to evaluating online information.