Australia became the first country to implement a nationwide ban, while several others are now pursuing similar measures.

The latest country to announce such restrictions is the United Kingdom, where Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed plans to ban social media use for children under 16 from 2027.

The proposed UK ban would apply to platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube and X, while messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal would remain exempt.

The government is also considering additional safeguards, including overnight usage curfews and limits on endless scrolling for under-18s.

Australia led the way in December 2025 by introducing a ban on social media accounts for children under 16.

The restrictions cover major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch and Threads, with companies facing significant fines for non-compliance.

Several other countries are at various stages of introducing similar legislation.

Austria is preparing to ban children under 14 from social media.

At the same time, Canada has proposed legislation that would prohibit social media use for those under 16 unless platforms can demonstrate sufficient child-safety protections.

Denmark plans to ban social media access for children under 15, with legislation expected to take effect as early as mid-2026.

France has also approved a bill restricting access for users under 15, although final legislative approval is still pending.

In Germany, policymakers are debating a proposal to prohibit social media use for children under 16, while Greece plans to introduce restrictions for users under 15 from January 2027.

Indonesia has announced plans to ban children under 16 from accessing major social media and online platforms, including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

Malaysia is also preparing similar measures for users below 16.

Elsewhere, Poland, Slovenia, Spain and Turkey are either drafting or advancing legislation aimed at limiting children’s access to social networking platforms.

Supporters of the restrictions argue they are necessary to protect young people from harmful online content, excessive screen time and predatory behaviour.

Critics, however, have raised concerns about privacy, age-verification systems and the effectiveness of blanket bans, warning they may push children towards less regulated platforms.

Despite ongoing debate, governments across multiple regions continue to move forward with stricter controls on children’s access to social media.