Governments around the world are moving to tighten controls on children’s access to social media, as concerns grow over online safety, mental health, and excessive screen time.

From landmark bans to stricter parental consent rules, countries are increasingly willing to challenge the dominance of big tech platforms in the name of child protection.

Australia has set the pace. In December, it became the first country in the world to introduce a blanket ban on social media for children under the age of 16. The law blocks access to platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, and has drawn intense international attention as other nations weigh similar measures.

The Australian ban, passed by parliament in November 2024, will come into force on December 10, 2025. It is among the toughest regulations ever imposed on major social media companies, with penalties of up to A$49.5 million ($34.3 million) for platforms that fail to comply.

Britain and Europe follow closely

In Britain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in January that his government is considering an Australia-style ban to better protect children online. While no specific age limit has been announced, officials are reviewing whether the current digital age of consent is too low and whether a wider prohibition should apply to younger users.

Across Europe, France has taken a decisive step. On January 26, the National Assembly approved legislation to ban social media use for children under 15, citing rising concerns about cyberbullying, online harassment and mental health risks. The bill still requires approval from the Senate before a final vote.

Denmark has also signalled a tougher stance, announcing plans to ban social media for children under 15. Under the proposal, parents would be able to grant exemptions for children aged 13 and 14. A majority of political parties have indicated support ahead of a formal parliamentary vote.

Germany currently allows social media use for children aged 13 to 16 only with parental consent, though child protection groups argue that enforcement is weak and easy to bypass.

Italy follows a similar model, requiring parental consent for children under 14, while users aged 14 and above can register freely.

Norway is considering raising the age at which children can independently consent to social media terms from 13 to 15. The government is also working on legislation that would introduce an absolute minimum age of 15, although parents could still approve access for younger children under certain conditions.

At the EU level, the European Parliament agreed in November on a non-binding resolution calling for a minimum age of 16 for social media use. It also urged a harmonised digital age limit of 13 across the bloc for social networks, video-sharing platforms and so-called “AI companions.”

Asia tightens rules

China already operates one of the most restrictive systems through its “minor mode” programme, which enforces device-level controls and app-specific limits on screen time based on a child’s age.

In Southeast Asia, Malaysia announced in November that it will ban social media for users under 16 starting in 2026.

India is also watching developments closely. Goa, one of the country’s leading tourist states, is considering restrictions similar to Australia’s ban, according to the state’s information technology minister.

The United States: a patchwork approach

In the U.S., federal law stops companies from collecting personal data from children under 13 without parental consent under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. Several states have gone further, passing laws that require parental approval for minors to access social media. However, many of these measures have faced legal challenges on free speech grounds.

Tech companies under pressure

Most major platforms, including TikTok, Facebook and Snapchat, officially require users to be at least 13 years old. Child safety advocates argue this is not enough, pointing to government data in several European countries showing that large numbers of children under 13 already have social media accounts.

As governments push for stricter rules, the coming years are likely to see a growing clash between regulators and technology companies over how — and whether — children should be allowed to participate in the online social world. Photo by Jason Howie, Wikimedia commons.