Key facts
- The UK will ban social media access for individuals under 16 starting in 2027.
- Australia has implemented a ban for under-16s on platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
- Indonesia prohibits under-16s from having accounts on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.
- Malaysia requires age-verification systems and blocks users under 16 on platforms with over 8 million users.
- Brazil requires under-16s to link accounts to a legal guardian and prohibits addictive features.
- Canada is considering legislation to ban children under 16 from social media unless companies prove they can remove harmful content.
Governments globally are increasingly enacting or considering measures to restrict minors' access to social media platforms, citing concerns over harmful content, addiction, and negative impacts on youth mental health.
The United Kingdom announced it will ban individuals under 16 from using a range of social media apps, including Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, starting in 2027. This move follows similar actions taken by other countries.
Australia was among the first to implement a ban, prohibiting under-16s from holding accounts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, with potential fines for non-compliance. Indonesia has also announced restrictions for under-16s on platforms that could expose them to addiction or harmful content.
Malaysia requires social media platforms with significant user bases to implement age-verification systems and block users under 16. Brazil's new law requires minors under 16 to link their accounts to a legal guardian and prohibits addictive features.
Canada is introducing legislation to potentially ban children under 16 from social media unless companies demonstrate they can remove harmful content. Several other countries, including France, Spain, Denmark, Greece, Thailand, and South Korea, are also in the process of introducing or considering similar age-based restrictions.