Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Countries Move to Tighten Children’s Social Media Access Rules
Many countries are worried that social media can hurt children’s health and safety.
Australia has banned children under 16 from using major social media platforms.
Other countries are proposing similar age limits, though their plans are at different stages.
Some governments want platforms to check users’ ages.
China is using device and app restrictions that depend on a child’s age.
France’s highest court stopped an under-15 ban because it said the measure could limit free expression.
Technology companies generally say users must be at least 13 to create accounts.
Child-protection groups say those rules are not working well enough.
In the United States, Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion to settle claims that its platforms were designed to keep children engaged.
Australia became the first country to ban social media use by children under 16.
Britain, New Zealand, Spain, Turkey and other countries are pursuing age limits or restrictions.
France’s top court blocked a proposed under-15 ban, citing freedom of expression.
The European Union is considering stronger safeguards against addictive and harmful platform designs.
Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion to settle U.S. claims involving young users.
- Who
- Governments, courts, technology companies, child-protection advocates and lawmakers in countries including Australia, Britain, France, the United States and European Union member states.
- What
- Countries are introducing, proposing or considering age limits, parental-consent rules, age verification and other restrictions on children’s social media access.
- When
- Measures and proposals were reported from 2024 through June 2025, with Australia’s restrictions taking effect on December 10, 2025.
- Where
- Across Australia, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, New Zealand and the United States.
- Why
- Governments and advocates cite concerns about children’s health and safety, online bullying, mental health risks, harmful features and addictive platform designs.
Stronger Child Protections
Free Expression and Implementation Concerns
Minimum age limits
Stronger Child Protections
Governments and child-protection advocates support bans or restrictions because of concerns about bullying, mental health, safety and addictive features.
Free Expression and Implementation Concerns
France’s top court blocked an under-15 ban, ruling that it infringed upon freedom of expression; similar laws in U.S. states have faced free-speech challenges.
Platform responsibility
Stronger Child Protections
Several proposals would require companies to verify users’ ages and take reasonable care to prevent features that may harm minors.
Free Expression and Implementation Concerns
Technology companies generally set a minimum sign-up age of 13, while the articles report that some existing controls are considered insufficient and that implementation details remain under debate.
Age-verification methods
Stronger Child Protections
New Zealand’s proposal includes using existing account information, facial technology and digital identity documents to verify ages.
Free Expression and Implementation Concerns
The reported measures would require platforms to handle more age-checking responsibilities, while the United States already has legislation and state laws facing court challenges.
- Australia’s minimum age
- Major platforms must block users under 16 from December 10, 2025.
- Australia’s penalties
- Companies that fail to comply could face fines of up to A$49.5 million.
- European Union proposal
- The European Parliament called for under-16s to need parental consent and for children under 13 to be prohibited from access.
- Meta settlement
- Meta will pay up to $18 billion over the next decade under an agreement with nearly all U.S. states.
- New Zealand proposal
- The government is proposing an under-16 ban, with possible fines of up to 10% of a platform’s global revenue.
- United Arab Emirates
- The UAE approved a minimum social media age of 15, making it the first Arab country reported to adopt such a measure.
- Technology industry rule
- Platforms including TikTok, Facebook and Snapchat generally require users to be at least 13 to register.