In light of the growing use of social media and its potential impacts on young people, many countries around the world are implementing restrictions to limit or ban access for minors. These measures primarily aim to protect children and adolescents from the dangers associated with digital platforms.
Global actions
More than twenty countries are already mobilizing to ban access to social media for young people under 15 or 16 years old. Among them, Australia recently announced a ban that will take effect by the end of 2025, specifically targeting those in this age group. However, this legislative framework seems to be circumvented by young people, as suggested by data revealed last August.
In Brazil, legislation was passed in March requiring platforms to link accounts of users under 16 to those of their parents and to systematically verify the age of users. This reflects a global trend to strengthen parental controls over young people’s online behavior.
Examples of strict regulations
In China, access for minors to social media has been strictly regulated since 2019, and time restrictions also apply to online games. This measure was extended in 2023 to cover social media and streaming platforms, illustrating a rigorous approach by the Chinese government to manage the internet.
Indonesia and Malaysia have also followed suit, banning access to social media for those under 16, effective from March and June 2023 respectively. These countries thus join an increasing list of nations recognizing the risks associated with early and inappropriate use of social media.
Ongoing initiatives in Europe
In the European Union, several countries are taking similar measures. The Greek government, for example, has announced plans to ban access for those under 15 starting in January 2027. Countries like Austria and Slovenia are also preparing bills aimed at limiting access to social media based on age.
In Germany, a panel of experts has suggested a graduated restriction by age or specific limitations based on platforms, while in Sweden, a proposal for a ban on networks for those under 15 is being considered. This normative climate reinforces the idea that governments are increasingly taking the protection of young people in the digital world seriously.
Varied responses around the world
In Canada, a bill has been proposed to set the minimum age for accessing social media at 16, while in the United Kingdom, there are currently plans to ban access to these platforms for those under 16 by spring 2027. These initiatives reflect a global consensus on the need to protect young people from the dangers of social media.
Despite these efforts, the implementation of regulations remains a challenge. In France, the recently proposed law to ban social media for those under 15 was censured by the Constitutional Council, thus affecting the developing legislative landscape. President Emmanuel Macron has promised a new “legally robust” legislation by spring 2027.
The impacts of political decisions
Some measures, like those already implemented in Australia, show promising results in protecting young people from irresponsible social media use. Governments are seeking not only to limit access but also to reduce the addictive features of platforms in order to foster a healthier online environment for adolescents. The debate over regulating minors’ access to social media is just beginning.
To learn more about these bans, two articles are available: Banning social media for those under 15: a return to digital prehistory? and The Senate is preparing to debate the ban on social media for those under 15. The measures initiated by various countries could indicate the way toward a more vigilant management of access to social media for future generations.
