These are the countries that are moving to ban social media for children

Over the past few months, several countries have announced plans to restrict children and teens’ access to social media. Australia became the first country to implement such measures at the end of last year, setting a precedent that other countries are now closely monitoring.

The Australian regulations, along with proposals from other countries, aim to reduce the pressures and risks young users may face on social media, which include cyberbullying, addiction, mental health issues and exposure to predators.

Of course, there are privacy concerns regarding age verification and excessive government intervention. Critics, including Amnesty International, have said such bans are ineffective and that they ignore the realities of younger generations. Despite this, many countries are moving forward with proposed legislation.

We’ve compiled a list of countries that are considering or have already initiated social media bans 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 prevents children from using Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch and Kick. It specifically does not include WhatsApp or YouTube Kids.

The Australian government said social media companies must take steps to keep children off their services. Companies that do not comply could face penalties of up to A$49.5 million (US$34.4 million).

The government says these platforms must use multiple verification methods to ensure that people using their services are over 16 years old. She also points out that they can’t rely on users simply entering their age.

Denmark

Denmark is set to ban social media platforms for children under the age of 15. The Danish government announced in November 2025 that it had received support for the ban from three ruling coalition parties and two opposition parties in parliament.

The government’s plans could become law in mid-2026, according to the Associated Press. The Danish Ministry of Digital Affairs is also launching a “Digital Evidence” app that includes age verification tools that can be used as part of the ban.

France

In late January, French lawmakers passed a bill banning the use of social media by children under 15. President Emmanuel Macron has endorsed the measure as a way to protect children from excessive screen time.

The bill still has to pass through the country’s Senate before a final vote in the House of Representatives.

Germany

In early February, conservatives led by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed a proposal to ban children under 16 from using social media, Reuters reported. However, there were signs that his centre-left coalition partners were reluctant to support an outright ban.

Greece

Greece is reportedly close to announcing a social media ban for children under 15, Reuters reported in early February.

Malaysia

The Malaysian government said in November 2025 that it plans to ban social media for children under 16. The state plans to implement the ban this year.

Slovenia

Slovenia is drafting legislation that would ban children under 15 from accessing social media, the deputy prime minister announced in early February. The government wants to regulate social networks where content is shared, citing platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram.

Spain

The Spanish Prime Minister announced in early February that the country plans to ban social media for children under 16. The ban still needs parliamentary approval. The Spanish government is also seeking to enact a law 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 says it will consult parents, youth and civil society for their views to determine whether the ban is effective.

It will also consider whether to require social media companies to limit or remove features that lead to compulsive use, such as infinite scrolling.