Countries worldwide move to ban social media for children
Original: These are the countries moving to ban social media for children
Why This Matters
A growing global regulatory trend is reshaping how social media platforms must manage underage access and compliance.
As of July 2026, multiple countries including Australia, France, Austria, Canada, Denmark, and Germany are enacting or proposing social media bans for minors. Australia was the first to implement such a ban in December 2025, blocking children under 16 from platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X.
Australia became the world's first country to enforce a social media ban for children under 16 in December 2025, blocking access to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick. Companies that fail to comply face penalties of up to AUD $49.5 million ($34.4 million USD). France passed a similar law on July 21, 2026, banning social media access for anyone under 15, with enforcement potentially beginning September 1. The law also extends an existing cellphone ban to high schools. Austria announced a ban for children under 14, with draft legislation expected to be finalized by June. Canada introduced a digital safety bill in early June that would ban social media for under-16s, though officials noted it could take up to a year to pass. Denmark is set to ban platforms for children under 15, with legislation potentially becoming law by mid-2026. Governments cite cyberbullying, addiction, mental health risks, and exposure to predators as primary justifications. Critics, including Amnesty Tech, argue such bans are ineffective and fail to reflect the realities of younger generations, raising concerns about invasive age verification and government overreach.