Global regulatory shift: Australia leads charge as nations move to ban children’s social media access
As Australia enforces the world’s first comprehensive ban for under-16s, over a dozen countries are drafting or implementing similar restrictions, sparking debate over privacy, efficacy, and enforcement mechanisms.
Australia has established itself as the global pioneer in digital safety regulation by implementing the world’s first legislative ban on social media for children under 16, effective December 2025. The measure targets major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick, while explicitly excluding WhatsApp and YouTube Kids. The Australian government has mandated that these services employ multiple verification methods to confirm user age, strictly prohibiting reliance on self-reported data. Non-compliant companies face substantial financial penalties of up to $49.5 million AUD ($34.4 million USD).
This decisive move has catalysed a wave of legislative activity across international borders, with over a dozen nations now advancing similar proposals or enacting bans. Austria is finalising draft legislation to prohibit access for children up to age 14, expected to be completed by June. In Canada, the government introduced a digital safety bill in June that would ban social media for those under 16, though social media giants may sidestep the restriction if they demonstrate robust protective policies. Officials estimate it could take a year for the Canadian legislation to pass.
European nations are also accelerating their regulatory frameworks. Denmark secured parliamentary support in November 2025 for a ban on platforms for children under 15, with plans to become law by mid-2026. The Danish digital affairs ministry is simultaneously developing a digital evidence application featuring age verification tools to support enforcement. Meanwhile, French lawmakers passed a bill in late January to ban social media for those under 15, a measure supported by President Emmanuel Macron to combat excessive screen time, though it awaits a final Senate vote.
In Central and Eastern Europe, the regulatory landscape is similarly evolving. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives discussed a proposal to bar children under 16 from social media in early February, although coalition partners have expressed hesitation regarding an outright ban. Greece has scheduled the enforcement of its ban for children under 15 to begin in January 2027, aiming to address rising anxiety and sleep problems among youth. Poland and Slovenia are both drafting legislation to prohibit access for children under 15, with Slovenia’s government citing the need to regulate content-sharing networks like TikTok and Instagram.
Southern and Western European nations are pursuing distinct regulatory approaches. Spain’s government announced plans in early February to ban social media for children under 16, pending parliamentary approval, while also proposing legislation to hold social media executives personally accountable for hate speech on their platforms. Turkey’s parliament passed a bill in April to restrict access for children under 15, which now awaits presidential acceptance. The United Kingdom is currently consulting with parents, young people, and civil society to assess the effectiveness of a potential ban, while also considering restrictions on compulsive features such as endless scrolling.
Beyond Europe, Asian nations are implementing strict controls. Indonesia announced in early March that it is banning children under 16 from using social media and popular online platforms, starting with YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox. Malaysia’s government confirmed in November 2025 its intention to ban social media for children under 16, with implementation planned for the current year.
Critics of these global measures, including Amnesty Tech, argue that such bans are ineffective and fail to account for the realities of younger generations. Significant concerns have been raised regarding the privacy implications of invasive age verification processes and the extent of government intervention in digital spaces. Despite these objections, the momentum towards stricter digital safety laws continues to gain traction worldwide.
This story was originally published in February 2026 and is being updated regularly with new information.
