A large number of countries and authorities around the world are blocking or planning to restrict minors’ access to platforms.
Around twenty countries or more, including seven where access restrictions are already in force or are about to be implemented.
According to AFP, all of these measures target those under 15 or 16, and this was revealed this Wednesday by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with her new proposals: a ban for those under 13 and the obligation of “mini-accounts” with restricted features for 13- to 15-year-olds.
Country-by-country, the controls are already in effect
We begin with the category of countries where restrictions are already in place, starting with Australia, which has prohibited social networks for those under 16 since December 2025. But the rule appears, in fact, widely circumvented by teenagers, according to data released in August.
In the United States, California has just joined this list: Governor Gavin Newsom signed, on September 10, around ten laws on online child protection, including one banning platforms from offering addictive features to those under 16. The legislation will take effect in early 2027.
In China, where the internet is strictly regulated by the state, minors’ access to social networks has been progressively restricted since 2019, with time limits and curfews for online games in the first instance, then from 2023 for social networks and streaming platforms.
Indonesia has banned networks for under 16 since March. The same in Malaysia, where a law that came into effect in June excludes this age group from major platforms.
In Brazil, a law that came into effect in March requires platforms to link the accounts of those under 16 to their parents’ accounts and to verify users’ ages.
Turkey will join this group of countries: a law adopted in April, to take effect by the end of 2026, will exclude those under 15 from networks. In the United Arab Emirates, a ban for under 15, announced in June, will take effect within a year.
Restrictions announced also within the EU
First, Greece announced in early April that it intends to ban access for those under 15 starting in January 2027, while Austria and Slovenia are preparing bills for bans for under-14 and under-15 respectively.
For the German government, Chancellor Friedrich Merz is in favour of restrictions, even a ban for minors; a commission of experts proposed in June two options: a graduated ban based on age or platform-specific restrictions.
In Sweden, a government commission proposed banning those under 15 from 2028. In Denmark, the government announced in October 2025 that it would propose banning several social networks for those under 15.
Outside Europe, the Norwegian government will present by year-end a bill banning access for under 16, while Canada unveiled on June 10 a bill also setting the minimum age at 16.
In the United Kingdom, the Labour government announced its intention to ban networks for those under 16 from spring 2027. A nighttime curfew would also be imposed on 16- to 17-year-olds.
New Zealand, in August, followed Australia with a bill to ban social networks from offering their services to under-16s.
Other laws are being considered in Parliament
In Portugal, a bill filed in February by lawmakers from the ruling right-wing party sets 16 as the “digital majority for autonomous access to platforms, services, games and apps.”
In Spain, a bill unveiled in March 2025, under review, would raise the minimum age to 16 to register on a social network.
Next to Italy, where a bill currently under review provides for banning networks for those under 15.
Finally France also has this law banning social networks for those under 15, and approved in Parliament this summer. It was struck down by the highest court, the Constitutional Council, on grounds of freedom of expression.
As for President Emmanuel Macron, he has promised a new “juridically robust” law by spring 2027.
