Countries worldwide move to restrict social media access for children

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Over the past months, numerous countries have announced plans to restrict social media access for children and teens. Australia became the first to implement such measures at the end of last year, setting a precedent that other countries are now closely watching. The U.K.

is the latest country to announce that it will impose a ban on social media use for children. U.K. prime minister Keir Starmer announced the ban on June 15.

The regulations and proposals being brought forth by governments around the world aim to reduce the pressures and risks that young users may face on social media, which include cyberbullying, addiction, mental health issues, and exposure to predators. There are concerns about privacy regarding invasive age verification and excessive government intervention. Critics, including Amnesty Tech, have said such bans are ineffective and that they ignore the realities of younger generations.

Despite this, many nations are moving ahead with proposed legislation. We've compiled a list of countries that are considering or have already moved forward with bans on social media for young users. Australia became the world's first country to ban social media for children under 16 in December 2025.

The ban blocks children from using Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick. It doesn't include WhatsApp or YouTube Kids. The Australian government has said these social media companies must take steps to keep children off their services.

Companies that fail to comply may face penalties of up to $49.5 million AUD ($34.4 million USD). The government says these platforms should use multiple verification methods to ensure that people using their services are older than 16. It also notes that they can't rely on users simply entering their own age.

Austria said in late March that it will ban social media for children up to the age of 14. Draft legislation for the ban is expected to be finalized by June. The Canadian government introduced a digital safety bill in early June that would ban social media for children under 16.

Under the legislation, social media giants could sidestep the ban if they demonstrate they have policies to protect young users. Officials have said it could take a year for the bill to pass. Denmark is set to ban social media platforms for children under 15.

The Danish government announced in November 2025 that it had secured support for the ban from three governing coalition parties and two opposition parties in parliament. The government's plans could become law as soon as mid-2026, according to the Associated Press. The Danish digital affairs ministry is also launching a 'digital evidence' app that includes age verification tools that may be used as part of the ban.