A global push to ban social media for kids is gaining speed, and the next moves could reshape Big Tech

Governments from Europe to Southeast Asia are moving to curb children’s access to social media, arguing that current safeguards have failed to keep pace with cyberbullying, addictive design and exposure to harmful content.

Australia’s decision to set a national minimum age has become a reference point for lawmakers weighing similar measures.

Australia approved a ban on major social platforms for under-16s, placing the compliance burden on companies rather than families. Regulators have signaled that platforms must use robust age-assurance tools and cannot rely on self-declared birthdays, with significant penalties for breaches.

Europe tests stricter age limits

France has advanced legislation aimed at barring under-15s from social media, with the proposal still navigating parliamentary steps before becoming law.

Germany’s debate has focused on curbs for under-16s, though coalition politics suggest a tougher path for an outright ban.

Elsewhere in Europe, Greece has outlined plans to restrict access for under-15s from 2027, and Slovenia has prepared draft legislation targeting the same age group. Spain is also considering a ban for under-16s alongside proposals to increase accountability for unlawful and hateful content.

Asia and others follow Australia’s lead

In Asia, Indonesia has announced plans to restrict under-16s from social media and other popular online platforms, naming services commonly used by teens. Malaysia has also said it intends to implement a ban for under-16s, adding momentum to a broader regional shift.

Turkey’s parliament has passed a bill to restrict access for under-15s, pending final approval to take effect. Denmark, meanwhile, has signaled it could adopt a ban for under-15s as early as mid-2026, pairing the policy debate with work on age-verification tools.

The age-verification trade-off

Critics warn that tougher rules may push platforms toward intrusive identity checks, raising privacy and security risks for all users. Rights groups and some researchers also argue that blanket bans can be a blunt instrument, urging stronger safety-by-design rules and better enforcement instead.

Even so, the policy direction is clear: governments are increasingly willing to set hard age thresholds and require platforms to prove compliance. For social media companies, the next battleground is likely to be how age assurance works in practice and who bears the cost when it fails.