Governments across Australia, Europe and Asia are taking increasingly strict measures to limit children’s access to social media, as concerns grow over how online platforms may affect young people’s safety and wellbeing. Services such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook are facing new restrictions as lawmakers consider whether existing age controls are sufficient to protect minors in an increasingly digital environment.
Australia has been at the forefront of this movement. The country became the first to introduce a nationwide ban preventing children under 16 from using major social media platforms. The rules came into effect in December 2025 and require technology companies to take steps to prevent under-16 users from maintaining accounts on covered platforms. Companies that fail to comply can face penalties of up to A$49.5 million, making the policy one of the most significant attempts by a government to directly regulate children’s access to social media.
The Australian approach has attracted international attention as governments elsewhere consider similar measures. Supporters of stronger age restrictions argue that children can be particularly vulnerable to harmful content, online harassment, excessive screen use and other risks associated with social media. Policymakers are also examining concerns about the ways recommendation algorithms can influence what young users see and how long they remain on a platform.
The debate is not limited to Australia. Several European countries and institutions have moved toward tighter controls, although the minimum age and specific requirements differ from one jurisdiction to another. The European Commission has proposed restricting social media access for children under 13, adding another major development to the wider discussion about children’s digital rights and online safety.
Greece introduced legislation in April that prohibits social media use by children under 15. The measures are designed to place greater responsibility on digital platforms to prevent children from accessing restricted services. Platforms that fail to meet the requirements could face financial penalties from January 1, 2027.
Portugal has taken a somewhat different approach. Its parliament approved legislation in February requiring explicit parental consent for children between the ages of 13 and 16 to use social media. Instead of applying a single prohibition across all users below a particular age, the system gives parents a more direct role in deciding whether older children can access these platforms.
Canada has also moved toward stronger regulation. The government introduced a digital safety bill in June that would prohibit social media access for people under 16, while allowing exemptions for platforms that meet specified safety requirements. The proposal reflects a broader attempt to combine age restrictions with obligations on companies to provide safer digital environments for young users.
Similar discussions are taking place in Asia. In India, the southern state of Karnataka introduced restrictions in March preventing children under 16 from using social media. The measure represents a state-level response to concerns about children’s online exposure, while neighbouring Goa has also been considering whether to introduce comparable restrictions.
Indonesia introduced its own measures in March, targeting social media access for users under 16. The restrictions are being introduced gradually and focus on platforms identified by the government as presenting a high level of risk to minors. The phased approach gives authorities and technology companies time to implement the required safeguards while expanding protections for younger users.
Malaysia has also moved to restrict children’s access to social media accounts. Its communications regulator announced in June that platforms would begin preventing users under 16 from registering accounts. The policy places emphasis on age controls at the account-registration stage, although effective enforcement remains dependent on how platforms verify the ages of users.
Turkey has adopted another comprehensive approach. Parliament passed legislation in April banning social media use by children under 15 while also introducing additional requirements for digital platforms. The rules extend beyond traditional social networking services and include provisions affecting companies involved with game software, reflecting the increasingly broad range of digital services used by children.
The rapid spread of these policies highlights a significant change in the relationship between governments and social media companies. For years, most platforms relied heavily on their own age policies and parental controls, but lawmakers are increasingly demanding stronger safeguards backed by legislation. Age verification has therefore become an important part of the discussion, particularly because platforms must determine how to restrict minors without creating unnecessary privacy risks for all users.
