Archive — US — techcrunch
These are the countries moving to ban social media for children
Several countries, including Australia, the UK, and Austria, are implementing or considering bans on social media access for children, citing concerns over cyberbullying, addiction, and mental health. While these measures are aimed at protecting young users, they also raise debates on privacy and effectiveness. Critics argue that such bans may not address the underlying issues faced by children online.
Key points
- Australia implemented a ban on social media for under-16s in December 2025, including major platforms like Facebook and TikTok.
- The UK announced a similar ban effective for children under 16, set to take effect by spring 2027.
- Austria plans to restrict access for children under 14, with draft legislation expected by June.
- Denmark will ban access for under-15s, which could become law by mid-2026.
- Countries like Canada, France, Greece, Indonesia, Malaysia, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, and Germany are drafting or considering similar legislation with varying age limits.
Why it matters
- The movement to ban social media for children reflects growing concerns about its impact on mental health, especially amid rising reports of anxiety and cyberbullying among youth.
- Historically, debates over children's online safety have continued since the rise of the internet, but current measures indicate a shift towards stricter regulations by governments.
- This trend aligns with 2025 IT Trends focusing on digital safety, ethical AI usage, and increased governmental oversight of technology.
The increasing global movement to ban social media for minors signals a significant governmental response to mental health and safety concerns, although effectiveness and privacy implications remain contentious.