A growing number of countries are introducing restrictions on children’s access to social media, signalling a major shift in how governments are seeking to regulate technology companies amid rising concerns over online safety, mental health and addictive digital platforms. The movement, which gained momentum after Australia became the first country to impose a nationwide ban on social media use for children under 16 in December 2025, is now spreading across Europe, Asia and the Americas as policymakers attempt to curb the influence of major technology firms.
Australia’s legislation has become a model for several governments despite continuing debate over its effectiveness. Countries including Indonesia, Malaysia and the United Kingdom have either announced or begun implementing similar restrictions, while France, Norway, Austria and several others are pursuing age-based regulations tailored to their own legal systems. Rather than following a single blueprint, nations are adopting different approaches based on local priorities, cultural considerations and existing digital laws.
The primary objective behind these measures is to shield children from harmful online content, cyberbullying, addictive platform designs and the mental health risks associated with excessive social media use. Policymakers argue that technology companies have failed to adequately protect young users despite years of public concern and repeated warnings from health experts and child safety advocates.
Some countries have opted for more flexible regulatory models instead of outright bans. Brazil has introduced systems requiring parental or guardian verification for young users, while Canada has explored exemptions for platforms that demonstrate strong child-safety standards. China, meanwhile, has implemented some of the world’s strictest controls, limiting the amount of time minors can spend on digital platforms through mandatory restrictions.
The tougher stance against social media companies has been reinforced by legal developments, including landmark court rulings that have held major platforms accountable for design features alleged to contribute to addiction among young users. These cases have strengthened calls for governments to treat digital platforms with the same level of scrutiny once applied to industries such as tobacco.
However, critics argue that banning social media alone is unlikely to solve the problem. Research conducted in Australia indicates that many children continue to access social media despite the restrictions by creating fake accounts, using virtual private networks or bypassing age verification systems. Human rights organisations and digital rights advocates contend that stronger platform regulation, better enforcement, digital literacy programmes and improved parental guidance may prove more effective than blanket prohibitions.
Although countries continue to differ in how they regulate children’s online activity, the international trend suggests that governments are becoming increasingly willing to challenge the dominance of major technology companies. With child safety emerging as a global policy priority, pressure is mounting on social media platforms to redesign their services and strengthen protections for younger users.
