Factbox-From Australia to Europe, countries move to curb children’s social media access

Australia has become the world's first country to ban social media for children under 16, with the law taking effect on December 10, 2025. This landmark legislation aims to protect young users from potential harm caused by social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. Other countries, including Britain, Denmark, France, Greece, India, Malaysia, and New Zealand, are also considering or implementing measures to regulate access to social media for minors.

These measures include outright bans, age verification processes, and restrictions on certain content, such as nude images. While some countries have faced legal challenges, such as France's court blocking a bill banning social media access for under-15s, the global trend towards protecting children's well-being online appears to be gaining momentum.

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