Global Push to Curb Children's Social Media Access Gains Momentum (2026-08-27)
Countries worldwide are enacting or proposing age limits for social media use, targeting tech giants over concerns about children's mental health and safety.
Governments across the globe are intensifying efforts to regulate children's access to social media, responding to mounting concerns over online safety, mental health, and addictive platform design.
Australia became the first country to enact a nationwide ban, with a law that took effect in December 2025 requiring major platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram to block users under 16. Non-compliance carries penalties of up to A$49.5 million.
In Europe, several nations are pursuing similar measures. Britain's government has announced plans to approve a ban for under-16s, potentially taking effect by spring 2027. It is also pushing tech firms to implement technical solutions to block nude images for children. Denmark has proposed a ban for under-15s, while Sweden's government-appointed commission has recommended a minimum age of 15. Poland and Slovenia are drafting legislation to prohibit access for children under 15, and Turkey's parliament has already passed a law banning social media for that age group.
Greece has indicated it is close to announcing a ban for under-15s, and Spain has said it will push forward with rules requiring age verification, despite industry lobbying. In contrast, France's top court recently blocked a bill that would have banned access for under-15s, citing freedom of expression concerns.
Elsewhere, Malaysia has begun barring those under 16 from registering accounts, and the United Arab Emirates has set the minimum age at 15, becoming the first Arab country to do so. New Zealand is proposing a ban with fines of up to 10% of a platform's global revenue for non-compliance.
In the United States, Meta has agreed to pay up to $18 billion to resolve claims from nearly all states that it designed Facebook and Instagram to addict young users. The company will also strictly limit how teenagers use its platforms. Separately, the Kids Online Safety Act has cleared a key political hurdle with bipartisan support.
At the EU level, the European Commission has said it will target "addictive and harmful design practices" in its upcoming Digital Fairness Act. The European Parliament has also passed a resolution calling for an EU-wide ban on access for children under 16 without parental consent.
Tech companies currently require users to be at least 13 to sign up, but child protection advocates argue these controls are insufficient, citing official data showing large numbers of under-13s have accounts.