Australia’s move to ban social media access for children under 16 has intensified a global debate, as governments around the world weigh tougher rules amid growing concerns over mental health, safety and screen addiction.
Australia has adopted one of the world’s toughest social media regulations, forcing major platforms to block users under 16 from 10 December, 2025. Companies that fail to comply face fines of up to A$49.5 million.
“Today, we can announce that this is working,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, calling the law “world leading” and a “source of Australian pride.”
Portugal’s parliament approved on Thursday (12 February) a bill on first reading requiring explicit parental consent for children aged 13 to 16 to access social media.
The draft law, proposed by the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD), aims to protect minors from cyberbullying, harmful content and online predators.
Parents would use the Digital Mobile Key (DMK) system to grant consent, while tech companies must implement compatible age verification tools. The bill passed by 148 votes to 69, with 13 abstentions and can still be amended before a final vote.
Britain is weighing an Australia-style ban, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying the government is ready to take “robust action.” Officials are reviewing whether features such as infinite scrolling and the digital age of consent should be restricted.
“This is a hugely complex issue, so it’s important it’s properly considered,” Starmer said, adding that childhood today too often means “endless scrolling, anxiety and comparison.”
China enforces some of the world’s strictest internet controls, blocking large numbers of websites and social media platforms for both adults and children. It has also introduced measures to limit children’s technology use, including restricting online gaming for under-18s and regulating screen time on social media.
In the U.S., children’s online protections are mainly governed by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, which bars companies from collecting personal data from children under 13 without parental consent. The law does not ban under-13s from using social media but holds platforms legally responsible if they collect data without approval.
This is why many platforms set a minimum age of 13. Some U.S. states have gone further, introducing stricter rules that require parental consent for under-16s and mandate age verification.
Türkiye is moving towards restricting social media access for minors, with a parliamentary report recommending measures such as age verification, content filtering and a ban for under-16s.
President Tayyip Erdoğan’s ruling AK Party is expected to submit draft legislation soon, with officials saying it would also introduce night-time internet restrictions and mandatory content controls until age 18.
Denmark
Denmark plans to ban social media for children under 15, while allowing parents to grant access to certain platforms for children aged 13 and above.
France’s National Assembly has approved legislation banning under-15s from social media, citing concerns over bullying and mental health. President Emmanuel Macron has urged France to follow Australia’s example, blaming social media as one factor behind youth violence.
In Germany, children aged 13 to 16 are allowed to use social media only with parental consent, though critics say enforcement is weak.
A YouGov poll last year found that 77% of respondents in Germany either “fully” or “somewhat” supported an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s.
Greece is “very close” to announcing a ban on social media for children under 15, a senior government source told Reuters.
India’s chief economic adviser has called social media platforms “predatory,” urging age restrictions. Goa state officials said they are studying Australia’s law.
“If possible, we will implement a similar ban on children below 16,” said Goa’s IT minister Rohan Khaunte.
Children under 14 require parental consent to sign up for social media accounts, while no consent is needed above that age.
Norway has proposed raising the digital age of consent to 15 and is drafting legislation to set a firm minimum age limit for social media use.
Spain
Spain’s government has approved a draft law that would raise the minimum age for opening a social media account from 14 to 16, though the measure has yet to take effect. Under the proposal, children under 16 would need explicit parental consent to use social media.
The draft also obliges platforms to introduce robust age-verification systems. However, the plan has drawn criticism from technology figures, including Elon Musk
The European Parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution calling for a minimum age of 16 for social media, while urging a harmonised digital age limit of 13 across the bloc.
“I am in favour because the experts I know say that it is terribly harmful to children. We must protect our children,” he said.
Overall, governments worldwide are reassessing how children engage with social media, with Australia’s ban now shaping policy discussions far beyond its borders.
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