Countries move to ban social media for children

Multiple countries are enacting or proposing bans on social media access for minors, citing risks like cyberbullying and mental health issues. Australia led the way in late 2025 with a ban for those under 16, imposing significant penalties for non-compliance. The UK is the latest to announce similar measures, with other nations including Canada, Denmark, France, Greece, Indonesia, Malaysia, Poland, Slovenia, and Spain considering or implementing age restrictions. These regulations aim to protect young users from online harms, though critics raise concerns about privacy and the effectiveness of such broad prohibitions.