{
  "id": 7890972,
  "title": "More countries move to ban social media for children, with restrictions spreading worldwide",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/more-countries-move-to-ban-social-media-for-children-with",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-16T23:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2026/09/17/more-countries-move-to-ban-social-media-for-children-with-restrictions-spreading-worldwide/235408"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The European Union is set to propose measures aimed at curbing social media's addictive features for minors, as numerous countries worldwide take steps to restrict children's access to these platforms. Over 20 countries have now either blocked or restricted children's online presence on social media, according to an AFP tally. Seven countries have already implemented or plan to implement policies targeting children under 15 or 16 years of age. Australia was the first nation to introduce a ban on social media for those under 16, set to take effect at the end of 2025. California, a US state, has also recently tightened restrictions on minors' access to social media.\n\nThe EU's proposed measures stem from months of deliberation over protecting minors from features designed to keep them hooked on social media. Greek lawmakers intend to ban social media access for those under 15 starting in January 2027, while Austria and Slovenia are drafting laws to prohibit access for under-14s and under-15s, respectively. Germany's expert commission has proposed two options for restricting access: gradual restrictions by age or platform-specific restrictions. Sweden's government is considering a ban for under-15s by early 2028, while Denmark plans to prohibit several social media platforms for those under 15.\n\nOutside the EU, Norway will present a bill by year-end to ban access for users under 16, while the UK aims to ban social media for under-16s by early 2027 under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer's plan, which includes a curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds. Canada has unveiled a bill setting the minimum age at 16, while New Zealand has introduced a bill banning social media for under-16s. Portugal's ruling party introduced a bill this February that would set the age of \"digital majority\" at 16 for independent access to social media, online services, games, and apps. Spain is also considering legislation raising the minimum age for opening a social media account to 16. Italy is contemplating similar legislation.\n\nFrance's Constitutional Council recently struck down a bill banning social media for under-15s due to freedom-of-expression concerns, but President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to introduce a new \"legally robust\" law by spring 2027.",
  "summary": "PARIS, Sept 17 — The European Union is to unveil proposals yesterday aimed at curbing addictive features of social...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}