The European Union's plan to regulate children's access to social media is part of a global trend, with more than 20 countries now implementing or considering similar measures. According to an AFP tally, five countries have already enforced restrictions, mostly targeting children under the ages of 15 or 16. An expert committee is set to submit its recommendations to the European Commission on Monday regarding a potential social media ban for children across the 27-nation EU.
Existing Restrictions
Australia banned social media for under-16s in December 2025. Brazil introduced a law in March requiring platforms to link the accounts of users under 16 to their parents and verify users' ages. China has progressively restricted minors' access to social media since 2019, imposing time limits and curfews on online gaming before extending similar restrictions to social media and streaming platforms in 2023. Indonesia and Malaysia have also banned social media for under-16s, with legislation coming into force in March and June, respectively.
Proposed and Upcoming Bans
Turkey passed legislation in April to bar under-15s from social media, expected to take effect in late 2026. The United Arab Emirates announced a ban on social media for under-15s last month, with implementation set for around a year's time. Within the EU, Greece, Austria, and Slovenia are preparing legislation to prohibit access for under-15s, under-14s, and under-15s, respectively. Germany and Sweden are debating similar measures, with Sweden aiming for a ban by early 2028. Ireland and Denmark are also considering legislation.
Global Considerations
Outside the EU, Norway plans to present a bill by the end of the year to ban access for those under 16. The UK aims to ban social media for under-16s by early 2027, and Canada wants to set the minimum age for social media use at 16. Several Indian states are considering restrictions, and France is debating a bill targeting the most harmful platforms. Portugal, Spain, and Italy are also considering raising the minimum age for social media access to 16.
Why This Matters
The growing trend of restricting social media access for children highlights concerns over the impact of social media on young minds. These measures aim to protect children from potential harms such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and the adverse effects of excessive screen time. For Bangladesh, observing these global trends can inform local discussions on digital safety and the appropriate age for social media use, potentially leading to similar legislative actions in the future.
