Australia first banned social media for under 16: List of countries now moving to do the same

In December, Australia became the first country to restrict children’s access to social media – essentially banning them from accessing platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and other platforms. The country set a precedent for other countries – from Europe to Southeast Asia – that are now introducing laws, debating bans and setting age limits in response to growing concerns about the impact of social media on young users.The push to regulate children’s social media use is driven by a familiar set of concerns: cyberbullying, addiction, mental health damage and exposure to predators. Lawmakers across the world are increasingly convinced that social media companies have not done enough to protect young users on their own — and that legislation is the only answer. Here are the countries that are now working to restrict social media for kids.Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media for children under 16. The law covers Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick — though it notably excludes WhatsApp and YouTube Kids. Under the law, social media companies are required to use multiple verification methods to keep under-16s off their platforms, and face fines of up to $49.5 million AUD (approximately $34.4 million) if they fail to comply.Denmark is reportedly preparing to ban social media for children under 15 and it may come by mid-2026. The government announced in November 2025 that it had secured support from both coalition and opposition parties in parliament. Denmark's digital affairs ministry is also said to be developing a “digital evidence” app with built-in age verification tools.French lawmakers passed a bill in January, banning social media for children under 15. President Emmanuel Macron has backed the measure as a way to tackle excessive screen time among young people. The bill still needs to pass through the Senate before returning for a final vote in the lower house.In early February, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's bloc put forward a proposal to ban children under 16 from social media. However, reports suggest some coalition partners are hesitant about an outright ban.Greece is reportedly close to announcing a ban on social media for children under 15, according to Reuters reports from early February. No formal legislation has been introduced yet.Indonesia became the latest country to announce plans to ban children under 16 from social media and popular online platforms. The country intends to begin with YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox.Neighbour Malaysia had announced in November 2025 that it plans to ban social media for children under 16, with the government committing to rolling out the ban within 2026.Reports have also said that Slovenia is drafting legislation to ban children under 15 from accessing social media. The government has specifically cited platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram as the primary targets of the new rules.Spain's prime minister announced in early February that the country plans to ban social media for children under 16. The measure still needs parliamentary approval to become law.The UK government is also said to be weighing a ban on social media for children under 16. Officials say they will consult parents, young people and civil society before making a decision. The government is also considering whether to require platforms to limit or remove features designed to drive compulsive use.