Key facts
- The UK will ban social media for individuals under 16 starting in 2027.
- Australia banned social media for under-16s in December 2025.
- Indonesia prohibits under-16s from using platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.
- Malaysia plans to implement a ban for under-16s this year.
- Austria is drafting legislation for a ban on social media for children up to 14.
- Canada's digital safety bill includes a ban for under-16s unless companies prove policies to protect young users.
- Denmark plans to ban social media for children under 15 by mid-2026.
- France passed a bill to ban social media for children under 15.
- Germany is considering a proposal to bar children under 16 from social media.
- Greece will ban social media for children under 15 starting January 2027.
- Poland is drafting legislation to ban children under 15 from social media.
- Slovenia is drafting legislation to prohibit children under 15 from accessing social media.
- Spain plans to ban social media for children under 16, pending parliamentary approval.
- Turkey's parliament passed a bill to restrict social media access for children under 15.
- The UK ban is expected to be in place by spring 2027.
The United Kingdom will implement a ban on social media use for individuals under 16 years of age, with the measure expected to be in place by spring 2027. This move follows similar restrictions introduced or proposed in several other countries.
Australia was the first nation to enact such a ban in December 2025, prohibiting children under 16 from using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, with penalties of up to $49.5 million AUD for non-compliance. Indonesia also prohibits under-16s from using popular online platforms, including YouTube and TikTok. Malaysia plans to implement its ban for under-16s this year.
Other countries are also moving forward with age restrictions. Austria is drafting legislation to ban social media for children up to 14. Canada is considering a digital safety bill that would ban social media for under-16s unless companies demonstrate policies to protect young users. Denmark aims to ban social media for children under 15 by mid-2026. France has passed a bill to ban social media for children under 15, and Greece will implement a similar ban for under-15s starting January 2027. Germany is discussing a proposal to bar children under 16, while Poland and Slovenia are drafting legislation for bans on under-15s. Spain plans to ban social media for children under 16, pending parliamentary approval, and Turkey's parliament has passed a bill restricting access for under-15s.
These regulations are intended to mitigate risks such as cyberbullying, addiction, mental health issues, and exposure to predators. However, critics, including Amnesty Tech, have raised concerns about privacy related to age verification and the effectiveness of such bans, arguing they may ignore the realities faced by younger generations.