Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784610416596viber_image_2026-07-21_09-57-04-670 (2).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A child using a smartphone<em>. Andrey K, Unsplash</em><br/></span></span></span></div><p>PARIS, France —Lawmakers in France are scheduled to vote on Tuesday to ban social media for under-15s—one of 20 countries worldwide to have proposed or introduced such measures.</p><p>Five of those countries have restrictions already in force, according to an AFP tally.</p><p>Here are facts about the measures in different countries.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE<br/></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Social media has been banned for under-16s in Australia since December 2025.</p><p>Brazil introduced a law in March requiring platforms to link the accounts of users aged under-16 to those of their parents, while also requiring platforms to verify users&#x27; ages.</p><p>In China, where the internet is tightly regulated by the state, minors&#x27; access to social media has been restricted progressively since 2019.</p><p>Initial measures imposed time limits and curfews on online gaming, before similar restrictions were extended in 2023 to social media and streaming platforms.</p><p>Indonesia has banned social media for under-16s since March.</p><p>Malaysia has taken a similar approach, with legislation coming into force in June excluding under-16s from major platforms.</p><p>Turkey is set to join the list after passing legislation to bar under-15s from social media in April. The law is expected to take effect in late 2026.</p><p>The United Arab Emirates announced a ban on social media for under-15s last month, with implementation set for around a year&#x27;s time.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RESTRICTIONS ANNOUNCED</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Across the 27-nation EU, the European Commission plans to propose measures later this year for a total ban for under-13s and progressive access for those aged 13 to 18.</p><p>Within the bloc, the Greek government announced in early April that it intends to ban social media access for under-15s from January 1, 2027.</p><p>Austria and Slovenia are also preparing legislation to prohibit access for under-14s and under-15s, respectively.</p><p>In Germany, where Chancellor Friedrich Merz supports restricting or even banning social media for children, an expert commission has proposed two options: a ban graded by age or platform-specific restrictions.</p><p>A similar debate is under way in Sweden, where a government commission has proposed banning social media for under-15s by early 2028.</p><p>In Denmark, the government announced in October 2025 that it would propose banning &quot;several social media platforms&quot; for under-15s.</p><p>The Irish government has warned that it is considering legislating in the absence of an EU decision.</p><p>Outside the EU, the Norwegian government will present a bill by the end of the year to ban access for those under 16.</p><p>The UK is looking to ban social media for under-16s by early 2027 under a measure planned by its former prime minister Keir Starmer.</p><p>Canada also wants to set the minimum age for social media use at 16.</p><p>Several states in India are considering restrictions for children, and the government said it is holding discussions with platforms over potential measures.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>BILLS IN PARLIAMENT<br/></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>A proposal to ban social media for children under 15 is due to be voted on by France&#x27;s parliament on Tuesday after deputies and senators reached a compromise agreement.</p><p>The lower house approved the bill at first reading in January but the Senate later amended it to target only the most harmful platforms, prompting concern in Brussels.</p><p>The government hopes it can come into force in September. Digital Minister Anne Le Henanff said it would make France the first country in Europe to establish a &quot;digital legal age&quot;.</p><p>Portugal is considering a bill that would set the age for independent access to platforms, services, games and applications at 16.</p><p>Spain has proposed raising the minimum age for registering on a social media platform from 14 to 16.</p><p>In Italy, parliament is considering legislation that would ban social media use for children under the age of 15.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PScCyXt7kAA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/flbGciJHTGg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z8PoC_12UMU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Five of those countries have restrictions already in force, according to an AFP tally.</p>

Five of those countries have restrictions already in force, according to an AFP tally.

Countries move to ban social media for children

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Countries move to ban social media for children

Olivier Thibault,

Agence France-Presse

Published July 21, 2026 01:09 PM PHT

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Agence France-Presse

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