Key facts
- Australia was the first country to ban social media for children under 16.
- France recently passed a law banning social media access for those under 15.
- The UK plans to ban social media for children under 16, with potential implementation by spring 2027.
- Proposed bans aim to mitigate risks such as cyberbullying, addiction, and mental health issues.
- Concerns exist regarding privacy, age verification methods, and government overreach.
Numerous countries are enacting or considering legislation to restrict social media access for minors, citing concerns over cyberbullying, addiction, and mental health impacts. Australia led the way by implementing a ban for those under 16 in December 2025, requiring platforms to verify ages and imposing significant penalties for non-compliance.
France has most recently passed a law to ban social media for individuals under 15, with potential implementation as early as September 1. This move also includes a ban on cellphones in high schools. Other nations are following suit: Austria is finalizing draft legislation for a ban up to age 14, while Canada introduced a bill in June that could ban social media for those under 16, though it may take a year to pass.
Denmark has secured parliamentary support for a ban on social media for children under 15, with potential enactment by mid-2026. Greece plans to implement a similar ban for under-15s starting January 2027, aimed at addressing anxiety and sleep problems. Indonesia announced a ban for under-16s in early March, targeting platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook. Malaysia intends to implement its ban for under-16s this year, and Poland's ruling party is drafting legislation for a similar restriction.
Slovenia is also drafting legislation to prohibit social media access for children under 15, focusing on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Spain's prime minister announced plans for a ban on social media for those under 16, which requires parliamentary approval and may also hold executives personally accountable for hate speech. Turkey's parliament passed a bill to restrict social media access for children under 15, awaiting presidential acceptance.
The UK's prime minister announced a ban on social media use for children under 16, with a potential start date in spring 2027. This ban would cover platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram, but exclude messaging services like WhatsApp. Limitations on AI tools, such as 'romantic companion' chatbots, are also planned, requiring them to be usable only by individuals over 18.
Despite these widespread legislative efforts, critics like Amnesty Tech argue that such blanket bans are ineffective and fail to address the underlying issues. Concerns about privacy related to age verification and the extent of government intervention are also noted.