A significant international movement is underway to limit children's access to social media, with several nations following Australia's lead in implementing age restrictions. Australia initiated the global shift in December 2025 by banning social media for anyone under 16, encompassing major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick. This move set a precedent, compelling social media companies to implement robust age verification methods to prevent underage users from accessing their services, with substantial penalties for non-compliance.
Today, 21 July 2026, France joined this growing list by passing a law banning social media access for individuals under 15, with implementation expected as soon as 1 September 2026. This French legislation also extends the existing ban on mobile phone use in primary and middle schools to include high schools. Other European nations are also progressing with similar measures; Denmark secured parliamentary support in November 2025 for a ban on social media for under-15s, potentially becoming law by mid-2026, and is developing a 'digital evidence' app for age verification. Austria announced in late March its intention to ban social media for under-14s, with draft legislation anticipated to be finalised by June 2026. Greece's Prime Minister announced in April plans to ban social media for under-15s from January 2027, citing concerns over rising anxiety and sleep problems among children.
Beyond Europe, Canada introduced a digital safety bill in early June 2026 that would ban social media for under-16s, though officials indicated it could take up to a year for the bill to pass. The legislation includes provisions for social media companies to potentially bypass the ban if they demonstrate effective policies to protect young users. Indonesia also declared in early March its intention to ban social media for under-16s, targeting platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Malaysia, in November 2025, outlined plans to implement a similar ban for under-16s this year.
The impetus behind these global legislative efforts is a shared concern among governments regarding the pressures and risks young users encounter online. These include cyberbullying, social media addiction, mental health issues, and exposure to harmful content or predators. Authorities in Australia, for instance, mandate that platforms use multiple verification methods, rather than simply relying on self-declared ages, to ensure users are over 16.
However, the widespread implementation of such bans is not without its critics. Organisations like Amnesty Tech have raised concerns about potential privacy implications arising from invasive age verification processes and the extent of government intervention in online spaces. Critics also argue that outright bans may be ineffective, potentially driving young users to circumvent restrictions and ignoring the realities of how younger generations engage with digital platforms. Despite these objections, the international trend towards restricting child access to social media continues to gain momentum.