A growing number of countries are moving to restrict children’s access to social media, with more than 20 countries having introduced, proposed or announced measures aimed at limiting minors’ use of online platforms. An AFP tally shows that seven countries already have restrictions in place or are preparing to implement them, generally targeting children under 15 or 16.
Australia became the first country to introduce a nationwide social media ban for children under 16, with the restriction taking effect in December 2025. However, data released in August suggested that the measure had been widely circumvented by some teenagers.
The European Union has now joined the growing push. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced proposals on Wednesday that would prevent children under 13 from using social media and introduce restricted, parent-supervised “mini-accounts” for those aged 13 to 15. The proposals still require approval from the European Parliament and the 27 EU member states.
Under the proposed EU framework, children between 13 and 15 would only have access to limited accounts installed and supervised by their parents, with restricted features and limits on usage time. Platforms would also be required to adopt safer designs for older teenagers.
Several countries outside the EU have already introduced restrictions or are working towards them.
Brazil began implementing measures in March requiring platforms to connect accounts belonging to users under 16 to those of their parents and verify users’ ages.
China has progressively restricted minors’ access to social media since 2019. Measures initially focused on online gaming, including time limits and curfews, before similar restrictions were extended to social media and streaming platforms in 2023.
Indonesia has banned social media access for under-16s since March, while Malaysia introduced age-related restrictions in June that exclude under-16s from major platforms.
Turkey passed legislation in April to prevent children under 15 from accessing social media, with the law expected to take effect later in 2026.
The United Arab Emirates also announced a ban on social media for children under 15, with implementation expected in about a year.
In the United States, California has moved to strengthen protections for minors online. Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation on September 10 targeting addictive features offered to users under 16, with the law expected to take effect in early 2027.
Restrictions announced
Across Europe, several governments are also preparing their own measures.
Greece announced plans in April to restrict social media access for children under 15 from January 2027. In Germany, an expert commission has proposed either gradually increasing restrictions based on age or introducing restrictions specific to individual platforms.
Austria and Slovenia are preparing legislation targeting users under 14 and 15 respectively, while a Swedish government commission has proposed banning social media access for under-15s from early 2028.
Denmark announced in October 2025 that it planned to prohibit “several social media platforms” for children under 15. Ireland has also warned that it could introduce national legislation if no EU-wide agreement is reached.
Outside the European Union, Norway plans to introduce a bill by the end of 2026 targeting children under 16, while the United Kingdom is considering restrictions that would prevent under-16s from using social media from early 2027. The UK proposal would also include a nighttime curfew for users aged 16 and 17.
Canada unveiled a bill in June that would set the minimum age for social media use at 16, while New Zealand introduced a bill in August following Australia’s approach by seeking to prevent platforms from providing services to under-16s.
Bills in parliament
Other countries are still debating legislation.
In Portugal, lawmakers from the governing right-wing party introduced a bill in February that would establish 16 as the age of “digital majority” for independent access to social media platforms, online services, games and applications.
Spain is considering legislation that would raise the minimum age for opening a social media account to 16, while Italy is considering a proposal to restrict social media access for under-15s.
France has also been at the centre of the debate. Parliament approved legislation this year to ban social media for under-15s, but the Constitutional Council struck down the measure on freedom-of-expression grounds. President Emmanuel Macron has since pledged to introduce a revised law by spring 2027.
The growing restrictions reflect an expanding international debate over how governments and technology companies should protect children online while addressing questions around parental responsibility, access to information and freedom of expression.
Source: AFP
