Summary
Governments worldwide are moving to restrict children's access to social media with a range of approaches that include outright age-based bans, parental consent requirements and technical verification systems. Australia has introduced a comprehensive prohibition on minors under 16 using major social networks. Other countries are adopting or considering similar rules, while child protection advocates continue to press for stricter enforcement and higher minimum ages.
Overview of national measures
Australia enacted a landmark law that requires major social media platforms to prevent users under the age of 16 from accessing their services. The prohibition took effect on December 10, 2025. Platforms that do not comply can face penalties of up to A$49.5 million, which is equivalent to $34.3 million.
Spain has announced plans to ban social media access for minors under 16 and will require platforms to implement age verification processes, according to statements by the prime minister. At the time of the announcement it was unclear whether the measure would require approval by the country’s highly fragmented lower house.
In Britain the government is considering a measure similar to Australia’s in order to strengthen online protections for children. The prime minister said the administration is evaluating whether the existing digital age of consent should be raised, but officials have not specified a target age.
China has implemented a program known as "minor mode" which imposes device-level restrictions and app-specific rules that limit screen time according to age.
Denmark said in November it will ban social media for children under 15, while allowing parents to grant access to select platforms for children aged 13 and 14.
France’s National Assembly approved legislation in January to ban children under 15 from social media; the bill must still pass the Senate before a final vote in the lower house.
Germany permits social media use for minors aged 13 to 16 only with parental consent, though child protection groups argue those safeguards are inadequate.
In India, the chief economic adviser called in January for age restrictions on social media platforms and characterized the platforms as predatory in how they retain users, following considerations by the state of Goa for measures similar to Australia’s.
Italy requires parental consent for children under 14 to sign up for social media accounts; above that age no parental permission is mandated.
Malaysia announced in November plans to prohibit social media use for users under 16 beginning in 2026.
Norway proposed in October 2024 to raise the age at which children can consent to social media terms from 13 to 15, while retaining the option for parents to consent on their children's behalf. The government has also started work on legislation to set an absolute minimum age limit of 15 for social media use.
In the United States the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act bars companies from collecting personal data from children under 13 without parental consent. Several states have enacted laws requiring parental consent for minors to access social media, but those laws have faced legal challenges on free speech grounds.
European Union-level action
The European Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution in November that called for a minimum age of 16 for social media access. The resolution also recommended a harmonised EU digital age limit of 13 for social media access and a minimum age of 13 for video-sharing services and so-called AI companions.
Industry response and implementation gaps
Major social media platforms generally require users to be at least 13 to register accounts. Child protection advocates argue that those age thresholds and verification systems are not sufficient: official data from several European countries shows substantial numbers of children under 13 already hold social media accounts.
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Context for markets and stakeholders
These regulatory shifts touch a range of stakeholders including social media platforms, app developers, device manufacturers and companies that monetise user attention. Enforcement mechanisms vary from broad prohibitions to parental consent and technical verification systems. Some measures are already enacted while others remain proposals needing legislative approval.
Where laws specify penalties or require platform-level changes, companies face compliance choices and potential enforcement costs. In jurisdictions where measures are proposed but not finalised, legal processes and political fragmentation may affect timing and implementation.
What remains unresolved
Across several countries important details are still unclear - for example, the age threshold under consideration in Britain, whether Spain’s proposed ban will clear its lower house, and the timing of legislative steps in France and other countries. In the United States, state-level laws have encountered judicial review, adding uncertainty about nationwide outcomes.