Australia in December became the world’s first country to ban social media for children under 16, blocking them from platforms including TikTok, Alphabet’s YouTube and Meta’s Instagram and Facebook. The ban comes amid mounting concerns over the impact of social media on children’s health and safety.
Below is a summary of what countries and companies are doing to regulate access to social media.
AUSTRALIA
A landmark law forced major social media platforms to block minors under 16 years from December 10, 2025, one of the world’s toughest regulations targeting major tech platforms. Companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to A$49.5 million ($34.4 million).
BRITAIN
Britain is considering an Australia-style ban on social media to better protect children online, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. The government did not specify an age threshold but is weighing whether the current digital age of consent is set too low.
CHINA
China’s cyberspace regulator has implemented a “minor mode” programme requiring device-level restrictions and app-specific rules to limit screen time depending on age.
DENMARK
Denmark said in November it would ban social media for children under 15, while parents could provide access to certain platforms for children as young as 13.
FRANCE
France’s National Assembly in January approved legislation to ban children under 15 from social media amid concerns about online bullying and mental health risks. The bill must pass through the Senate before a final vote in the lower house.
GERMANY
Minors aged 13 to 16 are allowed to use social media only with parental consent. Child protection advocates argue these controls are insufficient.
GREECE
Greece is “very close” to announcing a social media ban for children under 15, a senior government source told Reuters on February 3.
INDIA
India’s chief economic adviser in January called for age restrictions on social media platforms, describing them as “predatory” for how they keep users engaged. Two days earlier, the tourist state of Goa said it was considering restrictions similar to Australia’s.
ITALY
Children under 14 need parental consent to sign up for social media accounts; no consent is required above that age.
MALAYSIA
Malaysia said in November it would ban social media for users under 16 starting in 2026.
NORWAY
The Norwegian government in October 2024 proposed raising the age at which children can consent to social media terms to 15 from 13, though parents could still authorize access for younger teens. The government is also working on legislation to set an absolute minimum age of 15 for social media use.
SLOVENIA
Slovenia is drafting a law that would prohibit children under 15 from accessing social media, Deputy Prime Minister Matej Arcon said on February 6.
SPAIN
Spain will ban access to social media for minors under 16 and require platforms to implement age verification systems, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in early February. It was unclear if the proposed ban would need approval from the country’s fragmented lower house.
THE US
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act prevents companies from collecting personal data from children under 13 without parental consent. Several states have passed laws requiring parental consent for minors to access social media, but these have faced court challenges on free speech grounds.
EU LEGISLATION
The European Parliament in November agreed a non-binding resolution calling for a minimum age of 16 on social media. It also urged a harmonised EU digital age limit of 13 for social media access and an age limit of 13 for video-sharing services and “AI companions”.
TECH INDUSTRY
Social media platforms, including TikTok, Facebook and Snapchat, require users to be at least 13 to sign up. Child protection advocates say these controls are insufficient, and official data in several European countries shows large numbers of children under 13 already have social media accounts.
