Europe is moving to slam the door on the youngest social media users, as a widening international push seeks to curb children’s access to platforms blamed for addictive design and other online risks.
The European Union unveiled proposals today to ban social media for children under 13, coming amid what amounts to a global backlash against minors’ use of the apps.
More than 20 countries worldwide have now taken steps to block or restrict children going online on social media, according to an AFP tally.
Seven have measures already in place or set to be implemented, with their policies targeting children under the age of 15 or 16.
Australia became the first country to roll out a blanket ban on social media for under-16s, introducing it at the end of 2025.
The US state of California has also recently moved to tighten restrictions on minors’ access to social media.
Under plans unveiled Wednesday by EU chief Ursula von der Leyen in the European Parliament, the bloc would also permit only limited, supervised access until the age of 15, after months of weighing how to shield minors from features designed to keep users hooked.
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Restrictions in place
Australia
Social media has been banned for under-16s since December 2025.
However, the ban so far appears to have been widely circumvented by teenagers, according to data released in August.
Brazil
Brazil began implementing measures in March requiring platforms to link the accounts of users aged under 16 to those of their parents, while also requiring platforms to verify users’ ages.
China
In China, where the state already tightly regulates the internet, limits on minors’ social media use have been steadily tightened since 2019.
Authorities first brought in time limits and curfews for online gaming, and in 2023 extended similar restrictions to social media and streaming platforms.
Indonesia
Indonesia has banned social media for under-16s since March.
Data released in August suggested the Australian ban was being circumvented by teenagers
Malaysia
Legislation came into force in June excluding under-16s from major social media platforms.
Turkey
Turkey is set to join the list after passing legislation to bar under-15s from social media in April.
The law is expected to take effect in late 2026.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE announced a ban on social media for under-15s last month, with implementation set for around in a year’s time.
California
The governor of the US state of California, Gavin Newsom, signed around a dozen laws on 10 September aimed at protecting children online, including one banning platforms from offering addictive features to under-16s. The law will take effect in early 2027.
Restrictions announced
European Union
The European Commission has proposed a ban on social media access for under 13s, with “safe design” obligations for platforms for users between the ages of 15 and 18.
Greece
Separately from any EU-wide rules, the Greek government announced in early April that it intends to ban social media access for under-15s from January 2027.
Germany
Chancellor Friedrich Merz supports restricting or even banning social media for children.
An expert commission has proposed two options: gradual restrictions by age, or platform-specific restrictions.
Ursula von der Leyen said it was time for Europe to act
Austria
Austria is preparing legislation to prohibit access for under-14s
Slovenia
Austria is preparing legislation to prohibit access for under-15s
Sweden
A Swedish government commission has proposed banning social media for under-15s by early 2028.
Denmark
The Danish government announced in October 2025 that it would propose banning “several social media platforms” for under-15s.
Norway
The Norwegian government will present a bill by the end of the year to ban access for those under 16.
UK
The UK is looking to ban social media for under-16s by early 2027 under a measure planned by its former prime minister, Keir Starmer.
A curfew would also be implemented for children aged 16 and 17 as part of the plan.
Canada
Canada unveiled a bill on June 10 that would also set the minimum age at 16.
New Zealand
New Zealand followed Australia’s lead in August with a bill that would ban social media platforms from offering their services to under-16s.
Bills in parliament
Portugal
Portuguese politicians from the ruling right-wing party introduced a bill in February that would set the age of “digital majority” at 16 for independent access to social media platforms, online services, games and apps.
Spain
A bill unveiled in March 2025 and now under consideration would raise the minimum age for opening a social media account to 16.
Italy
Italy is also considering legislation that would ban social media for under-15s.
France
The French parliament approved legislation this summer to ban social media for under-15s, but the Constitutional Council, the country’s highest constitutional authority, struck it down on freedom-of-expression grounds.
President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to introduce a new “legally robust” law by spring 2027.
Read more:
What do teenagers think of social media rules?
EU proposes ban on social media access for under 13s
