The Global Push to Bar Children From Social Media

Australia set the global precedent in December 2025, implementing a ban for children under 16 that carries penalties of up to $34.4 million USD for non-compliant companies. The U.K. joined this effort on June 15, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer announcing a similar under-16 restriction slated for spring 2027. While messaging apps like WhatsApp remain largely exempt, the scope of these bans typically covers giants including TikTok, Instagram, and X.

The regulatory wave spans multiple continents with varying age thresholds. Greece and Turkey have targeted a 15-year age limit, while Canada, Malaysia, and Spain are aligning with the 16-year standard. In Denmark, the government is developing a digital evidence app to facilitate age verification, reflecting a broader shift toward mandatory technical enforcement. However, critics like Amnesty Tech argue that these measures rely on invasive surveillance and fail to address the underlying social realities of younger generations. Despite these objections, the legislative momentum continues to accelerate, with countries like Austria, France, and Poland finalizing their own frameworks to curb digital exposure for their youngest citizens.