3 weeks ago
Global push to ban under-16s from social media grows
Many countries are worried that using social media too much is bad for kids.
Too much screen time can make it harder for children to focus and can lead to bullying or feeling sad.
Australia decided that kids under 16 are not allowed to use apps like TikTok and Instagram.
Australia started this rule in late 2025.
Since then, more than two dozen other countries have made their own rules or are thinking about making them.
France and the United Kingdom have also decided to create similar laws.
Some parents think this is a good idea because they believe social media hurts children.
Other people say social media is a big part of kids' lives and is not clearly harmful.
Many teenagers still find ways to use social media, like borrowing an adult's account or hiding where they are online.
Governments are still trying to figure out the best way to keep kids safe.
Australia barred under-16s from social media in late 2025, and more than two dozen countries have since enacted or are weighing similar restrictions.
France became the first European Union nation to pass a ban, due to take effect in January 2027, while the UK announced a full ban targeting spring 2027.
Australia shut about 5 million underage accounts after the ban, but an April survey found only one in four teens aged 14-15 stayed off social media.
Tech giants including Meta Platforms Inc. and Snap Inc. have been accused of failing to properly enforce the ban, with teens using borrowed accounts or VPNs to get around it.
Australia pledged to double the maximum penalty for violations to A$99 million ($69 million), and so far no platform has been fined.
- Who
- Governments including Australia, the UK and France, tech companies such as Meta and Snap, and the teenagers and parents affected by the restrictions.
- What
- More than two dozen countries are enacting or weighing bans and restrictions to keep under-16s off social media.
- Where
- Australia, the UK, France, the European Union, and other nations including Indonesia, Vietnam and Brazil; several US states such as California are also considering regulations.
- When
- Beginning with Australia's ban in late 2025; UK restrictions are planned for spring 2027 and France's law takes effect in January 2027.
- Why
- Concerns that excessive social media use harms children's mental health and development, including links to bullying, abuse, extortion, self-harm and suicide.
Supporters of social media bans
Critics and tech companies
Effectiveness of the Australian ban
Supporters of social media bans
Backers say full compliance was always unlikely, parents widely support the ban, and its success should be judged over the long term; the government shut about 5 million underage accounts in the weeks after it took effect.
Critics and tech companies
Research found only one in four teens aged 14-15 stayed off social media, 81.5% of under-16s still reported using platforms, and many children used borrowed adult accounts or VPNs to bypass age checks.
Impact on children's mental health
Supporters of social media bans
Excessive social media use is linked to rising teen mental health problems, bullying, sexual abuse and extortion, and Jonathan Haidt ties the increase to a shift to an addictive 'phone-based childhood.'
Critics and tech companies
Academics debate whether social media is the cause, pointing to factors such as academic pressure and greater reporting of mental health issues; an LSE survey of 30,000 European children found social media is not clearly safe or clearly harmful.
Compliance burden on American companies
Supporters of social media bans
Governments such as the UK say bans are needed to protect children and are choosing the most effective age-verification methods rather than leaving it to companies.
Critics and tech companies
The White House said the UK's planned ban would impose 'disproportionate compliance burdens on American companies' and would probably be ineffective at keeping young teens off the platforms.
Key facts
- Australia's ban
- Under-16s barred from social media from late 2025
- Countries acting or weighing bans
- More than two dozen
- France
- First EU nation to pass a ban; effective January 2027
- United Kingdom
- Full ban on under-16s announced in June; targeted for spring 2027
- Underage accounts shut in Australia
- About 5 million
- Teens aged 14-15 staying off social media
- 1 in 4 (April survey of 700+ teens)
- Maximum penalty for violations
- Doubled to A$99 million ($69 million)
- Under-16s using social media in March
- 81.5%, down from 85.9% before the law
Sources
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