Global Social Media Bans for Minors: Tracking New Laws

A growing number of nations are enacting legislative measures to restrict children’s access to social media platforms. Following Australia’s pioneering move late last year, the United Kingdom recently joined the push, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer announcing on June 15 that his administration will implement a ban for those under 16.

The global legislative trend centers on mitigating digital risks, including cyberbullying, platform addiction, mental health decline, and exposure to online predators. While some civil society organizations, such as Amnesty Tech, argue that these broad restrictions may be ineffective and ignore the digital realities of modern youth, governments continue to advance proposals for age-gated access.

Australia

In December 2025, Australia became the first nation to ban social media for users under 16. The mandate covers major platforms like TikTok, Instagram, X, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, YouTube, Threads, Twitch, and Kick. Notably, the regulation excludes WhatsApp and YouTube Kids.

Platforms are required to implement robust verification methods beyond simple self-declaration of age. Failure to comply with these safety standards could result in penalties reaching $49.5 million AUD ($34.4 million USD).

United Kingdom

The UK government is targeting a spring 2027 rollout for its proposed ban. The policy will restrict access to major social networks for those under 16, though it explicitly exempts messaging apps like Signal and WhatsApp.

Furthermore, the UK legislation aims to regulate AI, requiring “romantic companion” chatbots to restrict their user base to individuals aged 18 and older.

Key Legislative Developments Worldwide

• Canada: Introduced a digital safety bill in June 2026 to ban social media for those under 16. The bill may take up to a year to finalize, though companies with specific child-protection policies could potentially be exempted.
• Denmark: Plans to ban social media for children under 15 are expected to become law by mid-2026. The government is developing a “digital evidence” app to support age verification.
• France: Lawmakers passed a bill in January 2026 restricting social media for those under 15. The measure, supported by President Emmanuel Macron, awaits a final Senate vote.
• Greece: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a ban for children under 15 set to begin in January 2027, citing concerns over sleep disruption and platform design.
• Indonesia: Authorities announced plans in March 2026 to restrict children under 16 from platforms including Roblox, Bigo Live, and various social networks.
• Malaysia: The government announced in November 2025 that it intends to implement a ban for users under 16 during the course of 2026.
• Turkey: Parliament passed a bill in April 2026 to limit social media access for those under 15, pending final approval from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Austria, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, and Spain: Each of these nations is currently at various stages of drafting legislation or debating proposals to restrict social media access for minors, with age thresholds generally ranging from 14 to 16 years.