A growing international campaign to regulate children's access to social media is gaining momentum, with more than 20 countries having introduced, proposed or announced measures aimed at limiting minors' use of major social media platforms.
The development comes as governments increasingly focus on concerns surrounding children's exposure to harmful online content and features designed to encourage prolonged engagement. The European Union is also expected to unveil proposals aimed at curbing addictive features of social media platforms and strengthening protections for minors.
According to an Agence France-Presse tally, seven countries already have restrictions in place or measures scheduled for implementation, with most of the policies targeting children below the ages of 15 or 16. Australia was the first country to introduce a blanket social media ban for under-16s, with the measure taking effect in December 2025.
Other countries have adopted different approaches. Brazil introduced measures requiring platforms to link accounts belonging to users under 16 to their parents and verify users' ages. Indonesia has banned social media access for under-16s, while Malaysia has also introduced legislation excluding under-16s from major platforms. China has progressively tightened restrictions on minors' access to social media and other online services.
Turkey has passed legislation barring children under 15 from social media, with implementation expected later in 2026, while the United Arab Emirates has announced a similar restriction for under-15s. In the United States, California has also moved to strengthen protections for minors, with legislation signed in September targeting addictive features on social media platforms for users under 16.
Within Europe, several countries are considering age-based restrictions. Greece intends to restrict social media access for under-15s from January 2027, while Austria and Slovenia are preparing measures affecting younger users. Sweden has also considered a ban for under-15s, while Norway plans to introduce legislation restricting access for those below 16.
The United Kingdom is considering measures that would restrict social media access for under-16s, while Canada has proposed setting the minimum age for social media use at 16. Portugal, Spain and Italy are also considering legislation that would raise the minimum age or otherwise restrict children's independent access to social media platforms.
The growing number of initiatives reflects an expanding international debate over how governments, technology companies and parents should balance children's access to digital platforms with the need for greater online safety. While some countries are pursuing outright age restrictions, others are focusing on parental consent, age verification and limits on potentially addictive platform features.