Germany allows children aged 13-16 to use social media with parental consent.

Global Actions to Protect Children Online: Which Countries Are Restricting Social Media for Under-16s?

Countries around the world are introducing stricter regulations on social media access for children amid growing concerns over online safety and mental health. Australia became the first country to implement a ban for children under 16 from platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook starting December 10, 2025. Companies that do not follow the rules may be fined up to 49.5 million Australian dollars.

Several European nations are following suit. France and Denmark plan to ban children under 15 from social media, while Greece aims to enforce a similar restriction starting January 1, 2027. Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Italy, and Spain have proposed legislation requiring parental consent or age verification to access platforms, targeting minors between 13 and 16 years old. Germany allows children aged 13-16 to use social media with parental consent, but child protection advocates consider the measures insufficient.

In Asia, Karnataka in India became the first state to ban social media for children under 16, with Goa and Andhra Pradesh considering similar restrictions. Indonesia will deactivate accounts of children under 16 on high-risk platforms, including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Roblox, starting March 28. Malaysia plans a nationwide ban for users under 16 from 2026.

Other countries, including Brazil, China, Britain, and the United States, have implemented or are testing measures ranging from account restrictions to curfews and parental consent. The European Parliament has urged EU countries to set consistent minimum ages for social media and video platforms.