Countries move to ban social media for children

Several countries are enacting or considering bans on social media access for minors to mitigate risks like cyberbullying, addiction, and mental health issues. Australia pioneered this trend, prohibiting children under 16 from major platforms and imposing hefty fines for non-compliance. Other nations, including Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Malaysia, Poland, and Slovenia, are implementing similar age restrictions, often targeting platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. While proponents cite child protection, critics raise concerns about privacy and government overreach, questioning the effectiveness of outright bans.