These are the nations transferring to ban social media for kids

Over the previous few months, a number of nations have introduced plans to prohibit social media entry for kids and teenagers. Australia became the first to implement such measures at the finish of final yr, setting a precedent that different nations are now carefully watching. 

Australia’s laws, together with different nations’ proposals, intention to cut back the pressures and dangers that younger customers could face on social media, which embody cyberbullying, habit, psychological well being points, and publicity to predators. 

After all, there are considerations about privateness relating to invasive age verification and extreme authorities intervention. Critics, together with Amnesty Tech, have mentioned such bans are ineffective and that they ignore the realities of youthful generations. Regardless of this, many countries are transferring forward with proposed laws. 

We’ve compiled an inventory of nations that are contemplating or have already moved ahead with bans on social media for younger customers.

Australia

Australia grew to become the world’s first nation to ban social media for kids beneath 16 in December 2025. The ban blocks kids from utilizing Fb, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick. It notably doesn’t embody WhatsApp or YouTube Children. 

The Australian authorities has mentioned these social media corporations should take steps to maintain kids off their providers. Firms that fail to comply could face penalties of up to $49.5 million AUD ($34.4 million USD).

The federal government says these platforms ought to use a number of verification strategies to be certain that individuals utilizing their providers are older than 16. It additionally notes that they’ll’t rely on customers merely getting into their very own age. 

Denmark

Denmark is set to ban social media platforms for kids beneath 15. The Danish authorities introduced in November 2025 that it had secured help for the ban from three governing coalition events and two opposition events in parliament.

The federal government’s plans may change into legislation as quickly as mid-2026, in accordance to the Related Press. The Danish digital affairs ministry is additionally launching a “digital proof” app that features age verification instruments that could be used as a part of the ban.

France

In late January, French lawmakers passed a bill that may ban social media for youths beneath 15. President Emmanuel Macron has supported the measure as a approach to shield kids from extreme display screen time. 

The invoice nonetheless has to get by the nation’s Senate before a closing vote in the decrease home.

Germany

In early February, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives mentioned a proposal to bar kids beneath 16 from utilizing social media, Reuters reported. Nevertheless, there have been indicators that his center-left coalition companions had been hesitant to help an outright ban.

Greece

Greece is mentioned to be shut to asserting a social media ban for kids beneath 15, Reuters reported in early February.   

Indonesia

Indonesia mentioned in early March that it plans to ban children under the age of 16 from utilizing social media and different standard on-line platforms. The nation plans to begin with platforms similar to YouTube, TikTok, Fb, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Dwell, and Roblox.

Malaysia 

The Malaysian authorities mentioned in November 2025 that it plans to ban social media for kids beneath 16. The nation plans to implement the ban this yr. 

Slovenia

Slovenia is drafting legislation to prohibit kids beneath 15 from accessing social media, the nation’s deputy prime minister introduced in early February. The federal government desires to regulate social networks the place content material is shared, citing platforms similar to TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.

Spain

Spain’s prime minister introduced in early February that the nation plans to ban social media for kids beneath the age of 16. The ban nonetheless wants parliamentary approval. The Spanish authorities is additionally looking for to create a legislation that may make social media executives personally accountable for hate speech on their platforms.

UK

The UK is weighing a ban on social media for kids beneath 16. The federal government says it’s going to seek the advice of mother and father, younger individuals, and civil society for his or her views to decide whether or not a ban could be efficient. 

It’ll additionally take into account whether or not to require social media corporations to restrict or take away options that drive compulsive use, similar to infinite scrolling.