15 Countries Ban or Limit Social Media for Minors

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A growing number of countries worldwide are enacting regulations to restrict social media access for underage children. These restrictions vary widely, ranging from total bans for specific age groups and mandatory parental consent to limits on direct interaction features across platforms.

A TechCrunch report noted that from late 2025 through July 2026, at least 15 nations have introduced or drafted measures to regulate social media use among children. Indonesia is among the countries on the list, followed closely by Vietnam, which recently announced its own policy.

The Vietnamese government has adopted an innovative approach that distinguishes its strategy from other nations. Rather than imposing blanket bans or deleting youth accounts, Vietnam permits children to open accounts strictly in silent mode.

"In Vietnam, users under 16 would keep their social media accounts but lose the ability to post, comment, or react to content," the TechCrunch report noted. Similar constraints are expected to extend to online gaming platforms, with local authorities currently drafting related policies.

Below are the 15 countries moving to restrict or ban social media access for underage children:

Australia

Australia became a pioneer by enforcing a complete ban on social media access for children under 16 in December 2025. The restriction applies to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick, while exempting WhatsApp and YouTube Kids.

Austria

The Austrian government announced plans to ban social media for children under 14 in late March, subsequently releasing a draft bill in June.

Canada

Canada introduced a digital safety bill in early June that bans social media for children under 16. Tech companies may secure exemptions if they demonstrate robust child protection measures.

Denmark

The Danish government secured majority parliamentary support in November 2025 to ban social media platforms for children under 15.

France

France passed legislation on July 21 restricting social media access for youth under 15. Taking effect on September 1, the law also bans smartphone use in high schools.

Germany

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed a social media ban for children under 16 in February. However, the proposal remains under debate amid skepticism from coalition partners.

Greece

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a social media ban for children under 15, scheduled to take effect in January 2027. The policy comes in response to a surge in youth anxiety, sleep disorders, and social media addiction.

Indonesia

The Indonesian government announced a ban on social media and popular online platforms for children under 16 in early March 2026. The crackdown targets major services, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox.

Malaysia

Malaysia outlined plans to ban social media for children under 16 in November 2025, aiming for implementation within the year.

Poland

The Polish government drafted a bill in February 2026 to bar children under 15 from using interactive digital platforms.

Slovenia

Slovenia's deputy prime minister announced in early February 2026 that regulations were being prepared to ban social media for children under 15, focusing on content-driven platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.

Spain

Spain's prime minister proposed a ban on social media for children under 16 in early February. Besides requiring parliamentary approval, the measure includes personal criminal liability for platform executives who fail to curb hate speech.

Turkey

The Turkish parliament passed a bill in April restricting social media access for children under 15, which now awaits ratification by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

United Kingdom

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on June 15, 2026, that his government is moving to ban social media for children under 16, covering Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X.

Vietnam

As the latest country to introduce restrictions, Vietnam has implemented a unique framework that allows children under 16 to hold social media accounts while barring them from uploading, commenting, or interacting with content.

Read: How Parents Can Help Prevent Children's Exposure to Digital Extremism

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