More governments are moving to limit social media access for children and teenagers, as concerns grow about the impact of popular platforms on young users. Australia was the first country to turn those concerns into a nationwide restriction, and its approach is now being closely watched as other nations consider similar rules.
Supporters of these bans say the goal is straightforward: reduce the risks kids can face online. That includes cyberbullying, compulsive use and addiction-like behavior, mental health pressures, and unwanted contact from predators. At the same time, these proposals are also triggering intense debate about privacy and how far governments should go. Critics argue that strict bans can be ineffective, can miss how young people actually use the internet, and may encourage intrusive age checks that collect more personal data than necessary.
Even with those objections, momentum is building. Here’s where different countries stand on proposed or approved social media bans for minors.
Australia
Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media for children under 16 in December 2025. The restriction covers major platforms and services, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick. Two notable exclusions are WhatsApp and YouTube Kids.
Australia’s policy puts the responsibility on the platforms, not families. The government says social media companies must take active steps to prevent under-16 users from accessing their services, and they can’t simply rely on users entering their age. The expectation is that platforms will use multiple age verification methods. Companies that fail to comply could face penalties as high as 49.5 million AUD (about $34.4 million USD).
Denmark
Denmark is preparing to ban social media for children under 15. In November 2025, the Danish government announced it had secured support across coalition parties and some opposition backing, which improves the chances of the proposal becoming law. The ban could take effect as soon as mid-2026. Denmark is also working on a “digital evidence” app that includes age verification tools that may support enforcement.
France
France is moving toward restricting social media for children under 15. French lawmakers passed a bill in late January, and President Emmanuel Macron has backed the measure, citing concerns about excessive screen time and child well-being. The proposal still needs to pass through the Senate before it can face a final vote in the lower house.
Germany
Germany is debating the idea of limiting social media for younger users, but there’s no clear path yet. In early February, Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives discussed a proposal to bar children under 16 from social media. However, there were indications that coalition partners were not fully on board with an outright ban, suggesting tougher negotiations ahead.
Greece
Greece has announced a plan to ban social media access for children under 15 starting in January 2027. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the policy is aimed at addressing rising anxiety and sleep problems among children and pushing back against social media designs that encourage compulsive use.
Indonesia
Indonesia announced in early March that it will ban children under 16 from using social media and other widely used online platforms. The plan is expected to begin with major services such as 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. The announcement places Malaysia among the growing number of governments trying to set clearer age boundaries for social platforms.
Slovenia
Slovenia is drafting legislation that would prohibit children under 15 from accessing social media. Government officials have pointed to major content-sharing platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram as examples of the services the rules are meant to cover.
Spain
Spain has announced plans to ban social media for children under 16, though the measure still needs parliamentary approval. Alongside the proposed age restriction, Spain is also exploring tougher accountability rules, including a framework that could make social media executives personally responsible for hate speech hosted on their platforms.
United Kingdom
The UK is considering a ban on social media for children under 16, but it hasn’t committed to a final approach. The government says it will consult parents, young people, and civil society to assess whether such a ban would work in practice. It’s also weighing other safeguards, including forcing platforms to limit or remove engagement features linked to compulsive use, such as endless scrolling.
As more countries consider laws restricting social media for minors, the debate is shifting from whether governments should act to how these bans can be enforced without creating new privacy problems. What happens next will likely depend on whether age verification can be made accurate, secure, and minimally invasive—and whether policymakers can prove these restrictions truly improve kids’ safety and mental health.
