What age limits are countries imposing on social media for minors?

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Countries are implementing a range of age limits for minors' access to social media platforms, with many setting the threshold at 15 or 16 years old.

Globally, a significant number of countries are enacting or proposing legislation to restrict minors' access to social media, with a prevailing trend towards age limits of 15 or 16. These measures reflect a growing concern about the impact of these platforms on young users, leading to diverse legislative approaches being adopted or considered across continents.
Restrictions Already in Force

Several nations have already implemented bans or specific requirements for younger users. In Australia, social media use has been prohibited for individuals under 16 since December 2025. Brazil, as of March, mandates that platforms link the accounts of users under 16 to their parents' accounts and implement age verification. China has progressively restricted minors' social media access since 2019, extending earlier online gaming regulations to social media and streaming platforms in 2023. Indonesia banned social media for those under 16 in March, and Malaysia enacted legislation in June that excludes individuals under 16 from major platforms.
Legislation Passed or Announced

Other countries have passed or announced upcoming restrictions. Turkey's parliament approved legislation in April to bar under-15s from social media, with the law slated to take effect in late 2026. The United Arab Emirates announced a ban on social media for under-15s last month, with implementation expected in approximately one year. Within the European Union, Greece intends to prohibit social media access for under-15s from January 1, 2027. Austria and Slovenia are preparing legislation to prevent access for those under 14 and under 15, respectively. A German expert commission has proposed age-graded bans or platform-specific restrictions.
Proposed and Considered Measures

Numerous other countries are actively considering or proposing similar age limits. Sweden's government commission has suggested banning social media for under-15s by early 2028. Ireland's government is contemplating legislative action, and Denmark plans to propose a ban on several social media platforms for under-15s by October 2025. Norway will present a bill by the end of the year to prohibit access for individuals under 16. The United Kingdom is aiming to implement a ban on social media for under-16s by early 2027, while Canada has expressed a desire to set the minimum age for social media use at 16. India is seeing several states consider restrictions, with ongoing discussions between the government and platforms. France is advancing a proposal to ban social media for children under 15, with a final version expected soon and a hope for implementation in September. Portugal is reviewing a bill to set the age for independent access to digital services at 16, and Spain has proposed raising the minimum age for social media registration from 14 to 16. Italy's parliament is also considering legislation to ban social media use for children under 15.

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What age limits are countries imposing on social media for minors?

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