Which countries have banned social media for kids?
Australia started it. Now, the list is growing. Here's every country which has passed a social media ban for children.
Several countries have implemented or are planning to implement social media bans for children. Australia was the first to introduce such a ban in December 2025, requiring platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X, and Snapchat to verify the age of users under 16. However, a July 2026 study by Australian government advisors found the ban to be ineffective.
Austria followed suit in March 2026, proposing a ban for children under 14 and adding a new compulsory subject, "Media and Democracy," to school curriculums. Brazil implemented the Digital Statute of Children and Adolescents in March 2026, requiring kids under 16 to link their social media accounts with a legal guardian and limiting features designed to increase time spent on platforms.
Canada announced its proposed Safe Social Media Act on June 11, 2026, which will enforce age verification for users under 16 and impose safety requirements on social media platforms, including AI chatbots. Denmark plans to ban social media use for children under 15, with the law potentially arriving in 2026, though specifics and a timeline remain unclear.
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