Several countries around the world have introduced or proposed new regulations aimed at restricting social media use among children, reflecting growing concerns about the platforms' impact on young users' well-being.

In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced plans in February to ban social media access for individuals under 16 years old, though the measure still requires parliamentary approval. Similarly, Indonesia implemented a ban in March prohibiting children under 16 from using platforms deemed “high-risk,” such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, and Roblox. Following the enforcement of this law, Indonesian authorities summoned representatives from Google and Meta, citing their failure to comply.

The United Arab Emirates introduced a minimum age of 15 for social media account holders in June, alongside restrictions on certain online activities for those aged 15 and 16. Platforms operating within the Emirates have been granted a one-year grace period to align with the new regulations.

Britain unveiled in June a plan to prohibit social media use by children under 16, with enforcement slated for early next year. The government’s initiative also aims to prevent younger users from livestreaming and interacting with strangers on various online services, including gaming sites. Officials have indicated further consideration of measures like overnight curfews and limitations on continuous content scrolling.

France became the first European nation to enact a law restricting social media access to those aged 15 and over in July. The legislation was expected to roll out some provisions as early as September. However, the country’s highest court recently suspended the law, citing concerns related to freedom of expression. President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to introduce a revised bill before his term concludes next spring.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has advocated for similar restrictions and indicated the government is preparing such legislation. Nonetheless, opposition driven by implementation challenges observed internationally has cast doubt on when or if the law will be enacted.

Australia implemented the world's first nationwide social media ban targeting young teenagers in December. The policy blocks those under 16 from accessing platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X, and YouTube. Despite the restrictions, surveys conducted by spring reported that about 70 percent of parents indicated their underage children still accessed age-restricted social media accounts set up before the ban. In response, Australian officials announced plans in June to strengthen enforcement mechanisms.

Denmark introduced a policy last year aimed at preventing children under 15 from using certain social media platforms, with the goal of encouraging more time for “peace, play and development.” Austria also announced in March intentions to ban social media use under age 14.

Brazil enacted regulations in March requiring users under 16 to link their accounts to a legal guardian for supervision. The law further prohibits platforms from employing addictive features such as infinite scrolling. Turkey passed a law in April restricting social media access for children under 15, to be implemented gradually. The legislation mandates users verify their age via a government-run online portal, a step that has elicited criticism from free speech advocates concerned about privacy and expression rights.

Lastly, Malaysia enforced social media restrictions in June for children under 16 on major platforms with over eight million users, including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Similar to Australia and Indonesia, enforcement difficulties have been reported, with officials and parents noting that the measures have not fully prevented underage access.

This international wave of age-based social media regulations underscores the challenges governments face in balancing child protection with freedom of expression and effective enforcement in the digital realm.