Which Countries Are Moving Towards Banning Social Media for Children

SadaNews - In recent months, government actions in several countries have accelerated to impose strict restrictions on the use of social media platforms by children and teenagers, citing the need to reduce the risks of cyberbullying, addiction, and harmful content.

Australia has taken the lead as the first country in the world to implement an effective ban on social media use for those under 16, a move that has opened the door to a wave of similar legislation worldwide.

Despite warnings from human rights organizations like "Amnesty Tech" about the risks of excessive age verification and privacy violations, several countries are proceeding with similar bills, according to a report published by "Tech Crunch" seen by "Al Arabiya Business".

Australia: A Global Precedent

In December 2025, Australia enacted a ban preventing children under 16 from using platforms such as "Facebook", "Instagram", "Snapchat", "TikTok", "YouTube", "Reddit", and "Twitch", with exceptions for services like "WhatsApp" and "YouTube Kids".

The government held platforms responsible for verifying users' ages, threatening fines of up to approximately 49.5 million Australian dollars for non-compliance.

Denmark: Ban for Under 15

Denmark announced its intention to ban social media platforms for those under 15, with the law expected to come into effect by mid-2026.

The government is also working on launching a digital guide app with age verification tools to support the enforcement of the decision.

France: Bill Awaiting Approval

Members of parliament in France approved a bill to prohibit social media use for those under 15, supported by President Emmanuel Macron as a means to curb excessive screen usage.

The bill still requires approval from the Senate before it can be finalized.

Germany: Intense Political Debate

In Germany, conservatives led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed a proposal to ban platform use for those under 16, but coalition partners expressed reservations about the comprehensive ban.

Greece: An Imminent Move

Greece is preparing to announce a ban for those under 15, according to media reports, as part of a broader European initiative.

Malaysia: Similar Asian Trend

Malaysia announced its intention to ban social media use for those under 16, with plans to implement the decision within this year.

Slovenia: Legislation in Preparation

Slovenia is working on drafting legislation to prevent children under 15 from accessing networks like "TikTok", "Snapchat", and "Instagram" as part of efforts to regulate content-sharing platforms.

Spain: Ban and Executive Accountability

The Prime Minister of Spain announced plans to ban social media use for those under 16, alongside a proposed law that would make platform directors personally responsible for hate speech published on them.

United Kingdom: Exploring Options

The United Kingdom is considering imposing a ban on those under 16, with public consultations underway to assess the feasibility of the decision.

The government is also exploring the possibility of requiring platforms to remove or reduce features that encourage compulsive usage, such as infinite scrolling.

As this wave of legislation expands, attention is turning to the outcomes of the Australian experiment and its impact on other countries.

While some see the ban as a necessary protection, others warn of its implications for privacy and freedom of expression, it seems the relationship between children and social media is entering an unprecedented regulatory phase.