Archive · 21 Jan 2026
Global Push to Restrict Children's Social Media Access
Countries around the world are making rules to stop or limit kids from using social media.
Australia is the first to ban social media for children under 16, and other countries like Britain, Denmark, and Malaysia are thinking about doing the same.
Some places, like China and Germany, have rules to limit how much time kids can spend on social media or require parents to say it's okay.
The tech companies say you have to be at least 13 to use their apps, but some people think these rules aren't strong enough.
The goal is to keep kids safe online and make sure they don't spend too much time on their phones.
Australia has implemented a ban on social media for children under 16, with penalties for non-compliance.
Britain is considering an age-based ban and reviewing the digital age of consent.
China has device-level restrictions and app-specific rules to limit screen time for minors.
Denmark plans to ban social media for under-15s, with parental exemptions for 13-year-olds.
France requires parental consent for minors under 15, but faces enforcement challenges.
- Who
- Governments and tech companies worldwide
- What
- Implementing and considering age-based restrictions on social media for children
- When
- Various dates, with Australia's ban starting December 10, 2025
- Where
- Countries including Australia, Britain, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Norway, the U.S., and the EU
- Why
- To address concerns over the effects of social media on children’s health and safety
- Australia
- Ban on social media for under-16s, penalties up to A$49.5 million for non-compliance
- Britain
- Considering an age-based ban, reviewing digital age of consent
- China
- Device-level restrictions and app-specific rules to restrict screen time
- Denmark
- Ban on social media for under-15s, parental exemptions for 13-year-olds
- France
- Parental consent required for minors under 15, enforcement challenges
- Germany
- Parental consent required for minors aged 13-16, advocates say controls insufficient
- Italy
- Parental consent required for under-14s, no consent required from age 14
- Malaysia
- Ban on social media for under-16s starting from 2026
- Norway
- Proposed raising age for social media consent to 15, absolute minimum age limit of 15
- The U.S.
- Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, state laws requiring parental consent
- EU Legislation
- Resolution calling for a minimum age of 16 on social media, not legally binding
- Tech Industry
- Platforms require users to be at least 13, advocates say controls insufficient
Sources
UK Mulls Australia-Style Ban On Social Media For Children
Britain Considers Australia-Style Social Media Ban for Children
Factbox-From Australia to Europe, countries move to curb children’s social media access
UK weighs Australia-style social media ban for children under 16
Is under-16s social media ban missing the point?
'No Option Off Table': UK Considers Social Media Ban For Children
