Concerns about online safety, mental health, cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content are growing, and governments around the world are introducing stricter regulations for children’s access to social media. Countries such as Australia, France, Britain and Greece are either implementing bans, increasing age restrictions or requiring more stringent parental supervision and age verification.
The global trend picked up momentum after Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media access for children below 16. The law, which took effect in December 2025, requires platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook to block underage users or face penalties of up to A$49.5 million.
Europe moves toward stricter age limits
In France, lawmakers have approved legislation that would prohibit children under 15 from opening social media accounts. Once in place, social media companies will also have to delete existing accounts held by underage users within a set timeframe. The move has been prompted by increasing concerns around online bullying and the impact of social media on children’s mental health.
The United Kingdom is also preparing tougher rules. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has backed plans for a ban on social media use by under-16s, with implementation expected around Spring 2027. The government is additionally exploring measures that would require technology companies to identify and block the circulation of explicit content involving children.
Elsewhere in Europe, Denmark plans to ban social media access for children under 15, while Austria, Slovenia and Greece are working on laws that would introduce similar age-based restrictions. In Germany, children aged 13 to 16 currently require parental consent to use social media platforms, though regulators continue to debate stricter controls.
Asia and Latin America join the trend
Several countries outside Europe have already introduced restrictions. Brazil now requires social media users under 16 to link their accounts to a parent or legal guardian and undergo age verification procedures. The country’s regulations also target addictive platform features designed for younger users.
In China, authorities have gradually introduced restrictions on minors’ online activity, through a “minor mode” system that limits screen time and platform access depending on age. Similar restrictions are in place in Indonesia and Malaysia, while Turkey and the United Arab Emirates are due to follow suit.
Growing pressure on Big Tech
The regulatory moves reflect increasing pressure on social media companies to provide better protection for younger users. Governments are citing issues such as cyberbullying, harmful content, online exploitation, addictive algorithms and mental health problems for children and teenagers.
Platforms are also being asked to improve their age verification tools and offer parental control features. Critics, however, have raised concerns about privacy, free speech and the effectiveness of age-verification technologies. Some studies have found that children can get around restrictions, highlighting the challenges regulators face when putting such measures in place.
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