Factbox: Global Efforts to Restrict Kids' Social Media Use

SYDNEY – On Wednesday, Australia will make history by becoming the first country in the world to implement a ban on social media for children under 16. This groundbreaking legislation will prevent young individuals from accessing popular platforms such as TikTok, YouTube (owned by Alphabet), and Instagram and Facebook (owned by Meta). The move has drawn significant attention from other nations that are considering similar age-based restrictions, as concerns about the impact of social media on children's mental health and safety continue to grow.

Here is an overview of how various countries and technology companies are addressing the issue of regulating access to social media:

Australia

Australia has enacted one of the strictest laws globally to regulate social media usage among minors. A landmark law passed in November 2024 mandates that major social media platforms block users under the age of 16 starting on Wednesday. This measure represents a significant step in protecting children from potential online harms. Companies that fail to comply with the regulation could face severe penalties, including fines of up to A$49.5 million (approximately $32.8 million).

Britain

The United Kingdom introduced the Online Safety Act in 2023, which sets higher standards for social media platforms. While this law includes age restrictions to prevent minors from accessing harmful content, it does not establish a specific age limit for general social media access. Enforcement of the act began this year, but the lack of a clear minimum age has led to ongoing discussions about its effectiveness.

China

China’s cyberspace regulator has implemented a "minor mode" program that requires device-level restrictions and app-specific rules to manage screen time based on age. This approach aims to protect children from excessive exposure to digital content while allowing parents some control over their children’s online activities.

Denmark

Denmark plans to ban social media for children under 15, with exceptions allowed for children as young as 13 if parents grant permission. A majority of political parties in Parliament have expressed support for this plan, indicating a strong consensus on the need for stricter regulations.

France

France passed a law in 2023 requiring social platforms to obtain parental consent for minors under 15 to create accounts. However, local media reports suggest that technical challenges have hindered the effective enforcement of this law, raising questions about its practical implementation.

Germany

In Germany, children between the ages of 13 and 16 can use social media only if their parents provide consent. Despite these measures, child protection advocates argue that current controls are inadequate, highlighting the need for more robust safeguards.

Italy

In Italy, children under the age of 14 require parental consent to sign up for social media accounts. Once they reach the age of 14, no further consent is needed. This policy reflects a gradual approach to managing children’s online presence.

Malaysia

Malaysia announced plans in November to ban social media for users under the age of 16, with the new policy set to take effect next year. This decision underscores the growing global concern about the impact of social media on younger generations.

Norway

The Norwegian government proposed in October 2024 to raise the age at which children can consent to social media terms from 13 to 15 years. Parents would still be able to provide consent for children under 15. Additionally, the government is working on legislation to establish an absolute minimum age limit of 15 for social media use.

The US

The United States has the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, which prohibits companies from collecting personal data from children under 13 without parental consent. Several states have also enacted laws requiring parental consent for minors to access social media, although these measures have faced legal challenges related to free speech concerns.

EU Legislation

The European Parliament approved a resolution in November calling for a minimum age of 16 for social media use to ensure "age-appropriate online engagement." It also recommended a harmonized EU digital age limit of 13 for social media access and an age limit of 13 for video-sharing services and "AI companions." However, this resolution is not legally binding.

Tech's Own Regulation

Social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Snapchat have set a minimum age of 13 for account creation. Child protection advocates, however, argue that these measures are insufficient. Official data from several European countries indicate that a significant number of children under 13 have social media accounts, highlighting the need for stronger enforcement and oversight.