Governments worldwide are tightening restrictions on children’s access to social media, citing risks to mental health and online safety as justification for sweeping regulatory changes.
Australia became the first country to enforce a blanket prohibition, with a law taking effect on December 10, 2025, that blocks platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook for users under 16. Non-compliant companies face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($34.9 million). The move follows rising alarm over cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and the psychological impact of social media on young users.
In Europe, proposals are advancing at both national and bloc-wide levels. Britain plans to approve a ban for under-16s by Christmas, with implementation targeted for Spring 2027. The policy would require tech giants such as Apple and Google to implement age-verification systems capable of blocking nude image sharing for minors, while allowing adults to share such content under verified conditions. France’s top court, however, blocked a similar bill in August, citing free-expression concerns, despite parliamentary approval in July.
The European Union is pursuing a Digital Fairness Act aimed at curbing addictive design practices, while the European Parliament has called for an EU-wide ban on online platforms, video-sharing sites, and AI companions for children under 16 without parental consent. The resolution also proposes an outright prohibition for those under 13. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized stronger child protections as a priority in May.
Across the Atlantic, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz announced support in May for the Kids Online Safety Act, which would require tech companies to exercise "reasonable care" to prevent harm to minors. The bill faces ongoing scrutiny alongside existing laws such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, which restricts data collection from users under 13 without parental consent. State-level parental consent laws have encountered legal challenges over free-speech grounds.
Other jurisdictions are adopting varied approaches. China enforces a "minor mode" program with device-level restrictions, while Denmark plans to ban social media for under-15s, though parents may grant limited access. Malaysia has barred individuals under 16 from registering accounts, and the UAE has set 15 as the minimum age for social media use, becoming the first Arab country to do so.
Child protection advocates argue current safeguards—such as platform rules requiring users to be at least 13—remain inadequate, citing evidence of widespread underage account creation. The push reflects a broader global shift toward stricter digital age controls, though legal and technical hurdles persist in balancing safety with user rights.
