Countries And Companies Tighten Social Media Rules For Children

Australia in December became the world’s first country to ban social media access for children under 16. The measure blocks minors from platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

Meanwhile, governments across the world are considering tighter rules as concerns grow over social media’s impact on children’s health and safety. However, approaches vary widely, from outright age bans to parental consent and stronger age verification.

Australia Leads Global Restrictions

Australia introduced a landmark law requiring major social media platforms to block users under 16 from December 10, 2025. The measure ranks among the world’s toughest regulations targeting major technology platforms.

Companies that fail to comply can face penalties of up to A$49.5 million ($34.9 million).

Britain And European Measures

Britain plans to approve a social media ban for under-16s by Christmas, with the measure expected to take effect around spring 2027, former Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on June 15.

In addition, major technology firms operating in Britain must prevent children from circulating nude images on their phones or face legislation requiring them to do so, Starmer said on June 8.

Under the plans, companies such as Apple and Google would have to build or activate technical solutions on smartphones and tablets to detect and block nude images involving children. Adults would still be able to take, share or view nude content through an age-verification process.

In Denmark, the government said in November that it would ban social media for children under 15. However, parents could allow children from the age of 13 to access certain platforms.

France’s top court on August 14 blocked a bill that would have banned social media access for under-15s, saying it infringed on freedom of expression. France’s parliament had approved the measure in July amid concerns over online bullying and mental health risks.

Germany allows minors aged 13 to 16 to use social media only with parental consent. However, child protection advocates say existing controls are insufficient.

Greece is also considering tighter restrictions. A senior government source told Reuters on February 3 that the country was “very close” to announcing a social media ban for children under 15.

Asia-Pacific Tightens Access

China has introduced a “minor mode” programme that requires device-level restrictions and app-specific rules. These measures restrict screen time according to age.

In India, the chief economic adviser called for age restrictions on social media platforms in January. He described the platforms as “predatory” in how they keep users engaged online. Two days later, Goa said it was considering restrictions similar to Australia’s approach.

Italy requires parental consent for children under 14 to create social media accounts. Above that age, consent is not required.

Malaysia began barring people under 16 from registering social media accounts, its communications regulator said on June 1.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has proposed a ban on social media use by children under 16. Platforms could face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue for failing to comply.

The proposed legislation would require platforms to take reasonable steps to verify users’ ages. These could include existing account information, facial technology and digital identity documents.

Norway proposed in 2024 raising the age at which children can consent to social media terms from 13 to 15. Parents would still be able to provide consent on behalf of younger children. The government is also working on legislation establishing an absolute minimum age of 15.

More Countries Consider Age Bans

Poland’s ruling party is preparing legislation to ban social media for children under 15 and make platforms responsible for age verification, it said on February 27.

Slovenia is drafting a law that would prevent children under 15 from accessing social media, Deputy Prime Minister Matej Arcon said on February 6.

Spain plans to introduce stronger rules to make social networks and AI safer despite lobbying from the technology industry. Digital Transformation Minister Oscar Lopez told Reuters in May that the government would proceed with the measures.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in February that Spain would ban social media access for minors under 16. Platforms would also have to implement age-verification systems.

Sweden’s government-appointed commission recommended on June 2 that the country introduce a minimum social media age of 15. Investigator Lisa Englund Krafft said a ban could make platforms responsible for verifying users’ ages.

Turkey’s parliament passed legislation on April 24 banning social media use by children under 15. The legislation also introduced new rules for digital platforms, including game software companies.

The United Arab Emirates approved a resolution on June 18 setting the minimum age for social media use at 15. The measure made the UAE the first Arab country to introduce such a restriction.

The resolution prevents children under 15 from creating or using personal social media accounts. It also limits their access to the platforms’ full features.

United States And EU Consider Wider Rules

In the United States, legislation aimed at strengthening protections for children and teenagers cleared a key political hurdle after Republican Senator Ted Cruz said on May 12 that he would support it.

Cruz said he would back the Kids Online Safety Act. The bill would require social media companies to “exercise reasonable care” when designing features that contribute to harm to minors.

The legislation is separate from the long-standing Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. That law prevents companies from collecting personal data from children under 13 without parental consent.

Several US states have also passed laws requiring parental consent for minors to access social media. However, those measures have faced court challenges on free speech grounds.

At the European Union level, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on May 12 that the bloc would seek stronger protections against harmful social media features.

The Commission plans to target “addictive and harmful design practices” through its Digital Fairness Act, which is due to be proposed later this year. An expert panel is preparing advice on how the EU should proceed.

Meanwhile, the European Parliament agreed on a resolution in November calling for an EU-wide ban on access to online platforms, video-sharing sites and AI companions for children under 16 without parental consent. It also called for an outright ban for children younger than 13.

Technology Industry Faces Pressure

Social media platforms including TikTok, Facebook and Snapchat say users must be at least 13 to sign up.

However, child protection advocates argue that existing controls do not go far enough. Official data from several European countries also shows that large numbers of children under 13 already have social media accounts.

With inputs from Reuters