Countries Impose Social Media Limits for Kids as US Lags

Amid growing concerns over social media harms, other nations have enacted strict regulations for minors' online access.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 4:18pm

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In the wake of recent US court rulings against social media companies over harms to children, a number of countries have implemented or are planning new laws to restrict kids' access to social media platforms. Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Spain, France, Denmark, and the UK have all passed or proposed measures ranging from banning under-16s from social media to requiring parental supervision of minors' accounts. These regulations aim to shield young people from the dangers of addictive features, harmful content, and online exploitation. However, the US lacks similar federal-level protections, leaving parents and advocates to push for legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act to address these issues.

Why it matters

As the dangers of social media for children's mental health, privacy, and safety have become increasingly clear, many countries are taking action to protect minors online. These new laws reflect a growing global consensus that tech platforms have failed to self-regulate and that government intervention is needed. The lack of comparable federal regulations in the US leaves American kids vulnerable, underscoring the need for policymakers to catch up with other nations in safeguarding young people's wellbeing in the digital age.

The details

The new laws vary in their specifics, but generally fall into a few categories: outright bans on under-16s using social media, requirements to link minors' accounts to parental supervision, and mandates for platforms to implement robust age verification and content moderation. For example, Australia became the first country to ban kids under 16 from social media in 2024, while Brazil now requires minors to link their accounts to a legal guardian. Indonesia and Malaysia are also planning similar bans on kids' access to major social platforms. Meanwhile, France, Spain, Denmark, and the UK are considering or have passed legislation to restrict teenage social media use.

  • In 2024, Australia became the first country to ban kids under 16 from social media.
  • A Brazilian law requiring minors to link social media accounts to a legal guardian took effect in March 2023.
  • Indonesia will ban social media for children under 16 starting in March 2023.
  • Malaysia plans to ban kids under 16 from social media beginning in 2023.
  • France approved a bill in January 2023 banning social media for children under 15, set to take effect in September 2023.

The players

Meta

The parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms that was found liable for harms to children in a recent Los Angeles jury verdict.

YouTube

The video-sharing platform that was also found liable for harms to children in the Los Angeles jury verdict.

Kids Online Safety Act

A US Senate-approved bill aimed at protecting kids from the harms of social media, gaming sites, and other online platforms, which has stalled since 2024.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

While the US lags behind, other countries are taking decisive action to protect children from the dangers of social media, demonstrating a growing global consensus that tech platforms cannot be trusted to self-regulate. The lack of comparable federal regulations in America leaves young people vulnerable, underscoring the urgent need for policymakers to catch up and enact meaningful safeguards to shield kids' wellbeing in the digital age.