The debate surrounding the impact of social media on children and teenagers has moved beyond theoretical discussion and is now translating into concrete laws. Concerns over mental health, violence, and exposure to inappropriate content, coupled with the intensive use of platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X by minors, are driving countries to ban or restrict access before a certain age. Australia led the way, and Europe is accelerating the pace of change.
Australia: A Pioneering Ban
In December , Australia became the first country to implement stringent legislation against social media use by those under 16. The law mandates that digital platforms actively prevent teenagers from maintaining accounts, under threat of substantial fines. Approximately two months after implementation, the measure has already resulted in the blocking of millions of profiles and concrete actions from tech companies. Meta, for example, has removed hundreds of thousands of accounts linked to minors.
The ban encompasses platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, X, Reddit, and Discord, as well as streaming services like Twitch and Kick. The Australian government has not ruled out expanding the list to include networks like LinkedIn or Lemon8 should a mass migration of young users to those applications occur, solidifying a control model that now serves as a reference point for other nations.
Spain Follows Suit
Spain announced plans to prohibit access to social media for individuals under 16, a measure the government intends to finalize in the coming days. According to government officials, the initiative is currently undergoing parliamentary review and is part of a broader legislative package aimed at strengthening digital protection for children and adolescents. A key aspect of the proposed legislation includes the potential for criminal liability for platform owners and executives, as well as the criminalization of practices such as algorithm manipulation and the amplification of harmful content.
France and the UK Consider Restrictions
In France, the National Assembly approved a bill setting the age limit at 15. This initiative also seeks to curb the promotion of products that could harm the physical or mental health of minors. While still requiring approval from the Senate, the legislative debate positions France among those advocating for stricter regulation of the digital environment for young people.
The possibility of limiting social media access for those under 16 has gained momentum in the United Kingdom’s Parliament. The House of Lords recently endorsed an amendment incorporating this restriction into the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, mirroring the Australian model. The initiative, championed by sectors of the Conservative opposition, passed a close vote and has opened a new front in political debate.
While the Labour government of Keir Starmer has expressed reservations, it has initiated a public consultation to assess the impact of a potential ban and explore alternatives to mitigate the harmful effects of intensive internet use among children and adolescents.
European Momentum: Slovenia, Portugal, and Finland
Slovenia is preparing legislation that would prohibit social media use for those under 15. The initiative, driven by the Ministry of Education, draws on international experiences and anticipates the involvement of experts to define the scope of the regulation.
Portugal has a legislative proposal to establish a “digital age of majority” at 16. The text stipulates that adolescents between 13 and 16 can only access platforms with parental authorization and requires platforms to incorporate verification systems compatible with those of public administration.
Finland is also studying restrictions on social media access for those under 15, but acknowledges legal limitations. The government is closely observing initiatives in other European Union countries, but cautions that a model identical to Australia cannot be unilaterally applied, as the regulation of large platforms depends on the community framework.
A Shift in Approach
Collectively, these initiatives reflect a shift in approach: states are beginning to treat access to social media not only as a matter of individual choice, but as a public policy issue and a matter of protecting children in the digital age. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez characterized social media as a “failed state,” stating that This proves “a place where laws are ignored, and crime is endured, where disinformation is worth more than truth, and half of users suffer hate speech.” He further described it as “a failed state in which algorithms distort the public conversation and our data and image are defied and sold.”
To enforce age restrictions, platforms will be required to implement “effective age-verification systems — not just checkboxes, but real barriers that work.” This emphasis on robust verification underscores the seriousness with which governments are approaching the issue and the expectation that tech companies will take concrete steps to protect young users.
