April 8 - In a significant move to curb the impact of social media on children's health and safety, over 20 countries have imposed restrictions on children's access to social media platforms. Australia was the first country to ban social media for children under 16 in December 2025, followed by Austria, Brazil, Britain, and several other countries. The bans and restrictions vary across countries, with some requiring parental consent, age verification, and device-level restrictions.
From Australia to Europe, countries are taking a tough stance on social media access for children. The European Parliament has also called for a minimum age of 16 on social media, while several states in the US have passed laws requiring parental consent for minors to access social media. The tech industry, however, says people need to be at least 13 to sign up for social media platforms.
As the global debate on social media's impact on children's health and safety continues, countries are taking a proactive approach to regulate access to social media platforms. The restrictions are aimed at protecting children from online bullying, mental health risks, and addiction.
