Australia set the trend: nine countries are preparing a total ban on social networks for children

Australia sets the trend: nine countries prepare total social media ban for children

Australia moved first in December, imposing unusually strict age checks on social apps — and almost at once nine other countries said they were preparing similar measures (some faster than others).

The Australian move bars kids under 16 yrs from many networks. Platforms like TikTok, X, Instagram, Snapchat, and Reddit are caught up in the rule; WhatsApp and YouTube Kids were spared. The law demands “reliable” age verification — ID scans, biometric matches, or comparable tech — and carries multimillion-dollar fines for noncompliance.

Europe has been quick to respond. Denmark aims to legislate for children up to 15 yrs by mid-2026. France’s lower house has already passed a comparable bill. Germany is weighing a 16-yr threshold, while Slovenia is preparing a ban on TikTok and Instagram for under-15s. The picture is uneven: different ages, different limits, different timelines.

In Asia the moves vary in flavor. Indonesia says it will block access to a number of services — Roblox is explicitly mentioned. Malaysia is reported to be eyeing a ban for those under 16 yrs, possibly this yr. The UK is still consulting; one proposal under discussion would curb so-called “addictive” UI features, e.g., infinite scrolling.

Officials frame the measures around mental-health risks and cyberbullying. Critics push back hard: human-rights groups warn these bans can be ineffective and risky for privacy, since enforcing them often means mass data checks and ID collection (big red flag to many). You can see the tug-of-war: urgent policy impulses on one side, practical and rights-based doubts on the other.