From Australia to Europe - Countries rush to ban children's access to social media

Australia in December became the first country in the world to ban the use of social media for children under the age of 16, blocking their access to platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

Below is a summary of the measures that various countries and companies are taking to regulate access to social networks, amid growing concerns about their impact on the health and safety of children.

Australia

A landmark law forces major social media platforms to block users under 16 starting December 10, 2025. This is one of the world's toughest regulations on major technology companies.

Companies that fail to comply with the law could face fines of up to A$49.5 million. 

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Great Britain

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce a ban on online platforms deemed "harmful" to children under 16, while allowing access to some safer forms of social networking.

China

The Chinese internet regulator has implemented a program called "minor mode," which includes restrictions on devices and apps to control screen time according to age.

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Denmark announced in November that it would ban social media for children under 15. Parents can allow the use of some platforms for children who have turned 13.

Franca

France's parliament passed a bill in January banning the use of social media for children under 15, citing concerns about online bullying and mental health risks. The bill must also be approved by the Senate.

Germany

Minors between the ages of 13 and 16 can use social networks only with parental consent.

Child protection organizations say these checks are not enough.

Greece

Greece is very close to announcing a ban on children under 15, according to government sources.

India

India's chief economic adviser called in January for age restrictions on social networks, describing them as "predatory" in the way they keep users engaged online.

Italy

Children under 14 years of age need parental consent to open accounts on social networks, while above this age, consent is not required.

Malaysia

also Technology 7 months ago Australia bans social media for under-16s

Malaysia has begun banning social media registration for people under 16.

Norway

The Norwegian government has proposed raising the age of consent for using social media from 13 to 15 years old by 2024. A law is also being prepared to set an absolute minimum age of 15 years old.

Poland

The ruling party is preparing new legislation to ban social media for children under 15 and make platforms responsible for age verification.

Slovenia

Slovenia is drafting a law that would ban access to social networks for children under 15.

Spain

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has declared that Spain will ban access to social networks for minors under 16 and will require platforms to implement age verification systems.

Sweden

A government commission recommended on June 2 that a minimum age of 15 be set for using social media. Platforms would be responsible for age verification.

United States

A US bill that aims to force social media companies to better protect children and teens has gained political support. Senator Ted Cruz has said he will support the Kids Online Safety Act, which would require companies to exercise “reasonable care” in designing features that could harm minors.

This law is separate from the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, which prohibits the collection of personal data of children under 13 without parental consent.

European Union legislation

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on May 12 that the EU will seek stronger protection for children from harmful elements on social media.

The Commission aims to combat “addictive and harmful” practices through the planned Digital Fairness Act. Meanwhile, the European Parliament has adopted a resolution calling for an EU-wide ban on children under 16 without parental consent and a complete ban on those under 13.
Technology industry

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Platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Snapchat state that users must be at least 13 years old to open an account.

However, child protection organizations argue that these measures are not sufficient, while official data in several European countries shows that a large number of children under 13 continue to have accounts on social networks.