Governments around the world are increasingly moving to restrict children’s access to social media, shifting the debate from online safety to age-based access itself.
Australia became the first country to implement a nationwide ban for users under 16, and a growing number of governments have since introduced similar laws, draft legislation or policy proposals. France is the latest to join the list, highlighting how quickly age-based restrictions are gaining political support.
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Why Governments Are Acting
Supporters argue that social media exposes children to cyberbullying, addictive platform design, mental health risks and online predators. They say governments must intervene where parental controls and platform safeguards have failed.
Critics, including Amnesty Tech, argue that blanket bans fail to reflect how young people use digital services while raising concerns over privacy, surveillance and intrusive age verification.
Despite those objections, more governments continue to pursue similar policies. Below is a country-by-country overview of where social media bans for minors have been adopted or are under serious consideration.
Australia
Australia became the first country to ban social media for children under 16 in December 2025. The restriction covers Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch and Kick, but excludes WhatsApp and YouTube Kids.
Platforms must take active steps to prevent underage access or face fines of up to A$49.5 million (about US$34.4 million). The government has also said self-declared birthdays will not be sufficient, requiring platforms to use multiple age-verification methods.
Austria
Austria plans to ban social media for children under 14, with draft legislation expected to be finalized by June.
Canada
Canada introduced a digital safety bill in early June that would ban social media for children under 16. Platforms could be exempt if they demonstrate adequate protections for young users. Officials say the legislation could take up to a year to pass.
Denmark
Denmark is preparing to ban social media for children under 15 after securing cross-party political backing in late 2025.
The measure could become law as early as mid-2026. The government is also developing an age-verification app to help enforce the restrictions.
France
France passed a law on July 21 banning social media access for anyone under 15. The measure could take effect as early as September 1.
It also extends restrictions on mobile phone use to high schools, building on existing rules covering primary and middle schools.
Germany
Conservatives led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz have proposed banning children under 16 from social media, although opposition from coalition partners has cast doubt on whether the proposal will move forward.
Greece
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced in April that Greece will ban social media access for children under 15 beginning in January 2027.
He said the policy is intended to address rising anxiety, sleep problems and the addictive design of social media platforms.
Indonesia
Indonesia announced in early March that it plans to ban children under 16 from using social media and other widely used online platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox.
Malaysia
Malaysia said in November 2025 that it plans to ban social media for children under 16, with implementation expected this year.
Poland
Poland’s ruling party is drafting legislation that would ban children under 15 from using social media.
Slovenia
Slovenia is preparing legislation to prohibit children under 15 from accessing social media. The proposal would apply to platforms where users share content, including TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram.
Spain
Spain plans to ban social media for children under 16, although the proposal still requires parliamentary approval.
The government is also seeking legislation that would hold social media executives personally liable for hate speech published on their platforms.
Turkey
Turkey’s parliament passed a bill in April restricting social media access for children under 15. The legislation now awaits approval from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
United Kingdom
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on June 15 that the U.K. plans to ban social media use for children under 16.
The proposal would apply to Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X, while excluding messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal.
The government also plans restrictions on AI tools, including romantic companion chatbots, limiting access to users aged 18 and older.
While experts have questioned whether such a ban can be effectively enforced, Starmer has said he believes it is achievable. The government expects the policy could take effect by spring 2027.
The Bigger Policy Question
Australia remains the only country to have fully implemented a nationwide social media ban for minors, while most others are still drafting legislation or awaiting parliamentary approval.
Whether these measures reduce harm to young users will depend largely on age-verification technology, platform compliance and how governments balance child safety with privacy concerns.
