Rte iconRteSep 16, 2026 ~4 min source read

Which countries are banning social media for children?

More than 20 countries have moved to restrict children's access to social platforms. This brief summarizes where bans or restrictions exist, the ages targeted, recent legislative moves, and how enforcement and responses vary.

Which countries are banning social media for children?
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Seven countries have bans or restrictions in place aimed at users under roughly 15–16, with Australia first to impose a blanket under‑16 ban in December 2025.

The European Commission proposed on 16 September 2026 to ban social media for under‑13s and to require safer, limited access up to age 15.

Several other countries have bills or proposals setting minimum ages between 14 and 16, and some laws have been struck down or are pending implementation.

# Snapshot

# What bans and restrictions exist now

  • Australia: Introduced a blanket ban on social media for under‑16s in December 2025. August data suggested many teenagers have been able to circumvent the ban.
  • Brazil: Since March, platforms must link accounts of users under 16 to parental accounts and verify ages.
  • Indonesia: Ban on social media for under‑16s in place since March.

# Recent and proposed moves

  • European Union (16 September 2026): Commission proposed banning social media access for under‑13s and imposing "safe design" obligations with limited, supervised access until age 15.
  • Austria and Slovenia: Preparing laws to prohibit access for under‑14s (Austria) and under‑15s (Slovenia).
  • Sweden: A government commission proposed banning social media for under‑15s by early 2028.
  • Denmark: Announced in October 2025 it would propose banning several platforms for under‑15s.
  • Norway: Plans to present a bill by year end to ban access for under‑16s.
  • United Kingdom: Government plans to ban social media for under‑16s by early 2027 and impose a curfew for 16–17 year‑olds under a measure advanced by the prime minister.
  • Canada: Unveiled a bill on 10 June setting the minimum age at 16 for independent access.
  • New Zealand: Introduced legislation in August mirroring Australia's ban for under‑16s.

# Bills under consideration or overturned

  • Portugal: Ruling party introduced a bill to set "digital majority" at 16 for independent access.
  • Italy: Considering legislation to ban social media for under‑15s.
  • France: Parliament approved a ban for under‑15s, but the Constitutional Council struck it down on freedom‑of‑expression grounds. The president pledged a new law by spring 2027.

# Enforcement and compliance notes

# Why it matters for parents and educators Parents and schools should track local legislative changes because age thresholds and requirements differ. Where laws require parental linkage or verification, account setup and supervision responsibilities will shift. In places where design obligations are imposed, platforms may change features that affect all users.

# Quick takeaways

  • Age thresholds in active measures and proposals cluster at 13, 15 and 16.
  • Responses vary: bans, verification and parental‑link requirements, curfews, and platform design duties.
  • Legal challenges and circumvention affect real‑world impact.

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