Over the past few months, several countries have announced plans to restrict children and young people’s access to social media. Australia was the first to implement such measures late last year, setting a precedent that other countries are watching closely.
Australia’s regulations, along with proposals from other countries, aim to reduce the pressures and risks young users can face on social media, including cyberbullying, addiction, mental health issues and exposure to predators.
Of course, there are privacy concerns due to invasive age verification and excessive government intervention. Critics, including Amnesty Tech, have said such bans are ineffective and ignore the realities of younger generations. Nonetheless, many countries are moving forward with proposed legislation.
We’ve compiled a list of countries that are considering or have already moved forward with a social media ban for young users.
australia
Australia became the first country in the world 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. Notably, it does not include WhatsApp or YouTube Kids.
The Australian government said it must take action to stop these social media companies from providing their services to children. Companies that fail to comply could face fines of up to 49.5 million AUD ($34.4 million).
The government says these platforms must use a variety of verification methods to ensure people using their services are over 16. They also point out that users can’t rely on simply entering their age.
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Denmark
Denmark plans to ban social media platforms for children under 15. The Danish government announced in November 2025 that it had secured support for a ban from three coalition parties and two opposition parties in parliament.
The government’s plan could become law as early as mid-2026, according to the Associated Press. Denmark’s Ministry of Digital Affairs will also launch a ‘digital evidence’ app containing an age verification tool that could be used as part of the ban.
france
In late January, French lawmakers passed a law banning social media for children under 15. President Emmanuel Macron supported the bill as a way to protect children from excessive screen time.
The bill must pass the Senate before a final vote in the House.
germany
Reuters reported in early February that conservatives led by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed a proposal to ban social media use by children under 16. But there were signs that his centre-left coalition partners were hesitant to support an outright ban.
Greece
Greece is close to announcing a social media ban for children under 15, Reuters reported in early February.
Indonesia
Indonesia said in early March that it planned to ban children under 16 from using social media and other popular online platforms. The country plans to launch with platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox.
malaysia
The Malaysian government has said it plans to ban social media for children under 16 in November 2025. Malaysia plans to implement a ban this year.
Slovenian
Slovenia is drafting legislation to ban children under 15 from accessing social media, the country’s deputy prime minister announced in early February. The government is seeking to regulate social networks on which content is shared, citing platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram.
spain
Spain’s prime minister announced plans to ban social media for children under 16 in early February. The ban still requires congressional approval. The Spanish government is also trying to create legislation that would make social media executives personally liable for hate speech on their platforms.
uk
The UK is considering a social media ban for children under 16. The government said it would seek input from parents, young people and civil society to determine whether the ban would be effective.
We will also consider whether to require social media companies to limit or remove features that encourage compulsive use, such as endless scrolling.
