Countries Considering Social Media Delays

Governments are increasingly exploring a “social media delay” to restrict or better regulate children’s access to online platforms. These proposals are driven by growing concerns around youth mental health and online safety risks.

Many countries are considering measures such as raising the minimum access age, introducing mandatory parental consent, or strengthening age-verification requirements to delay social media use among children.

Country	Minimum age	Implementation / target date	Status
Australia	16	10^th December 2025	In Force
Austria	14	TBC	Proposed
Brazil	16	17 March 2026	Passed
Czech Republic	16	TBC	Considering
Denmark	15	TBC	Proposed
Finland	15	TBC	Considering
France	15	TBC	Considering
Germany	16	TBC	Considering
Greece	15	1 January 2027	Proposed
India	TBC	TBC	Considering
Indonesia	16	March 2026	In Force
Malaysia	16	1 June 2026	In Force
Netherlands	15	TBC	Proposed
New Zealand	16	TBC	Considering
Norway	16	2027 (bill by end 2026)	Proposed
Poland	15/16	TBC	Considering
Portugal	16	TBC	Proposed
Slovenia	15	TBC	Drafting
Spain	16	TBC	Proposed
Sweden	15	TBC	Considering
Turkey	15	1 November 2026	Passed
UAE	15	June 2027	Passed
UK	16	Spring 2027	Passed
Vietnam	16	TBC	Considering

Australia: Australia introduced a world-first social media minimum age of 16, with restrictions coming into effect on 10 December 2025. Platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from creating or keeping accounts, with no parental-consent exemption. The rules are now in force, with eSafety monitoring compliance and enforcement.[1]

Austria: Austria agreed on a social media ban for children under 14 in March 2026. A draft proposal is expected soon and will include technically modern methods of age verification. No firm implementation date has been set yet.[2]

Brazil: Brazil's Digital Statute for Children and Adolescents (ECA Digital) came into force on 17 March 2026. The law requires digital platforms, including social-media services, to implement measures for the protection of children and adolescents, including age assurance and parental supervision. Accounts belonging to users up to 16 years old must be linked to the account of a parent or legal guardian. The law does not constitute a blanket ban preventing under-16s from using social media.[3]

Czech Republic: The Czech Prime Minister is considering a similar ban to Australia for under 16’s access to social media.[4]

Denmark: Denmark’s government announced an agreement to ban access to social media for anyone under 15. The ban may rely on Denmark’s national electronic ID system for enforcement.[5]

Finland: Finland’s Prime Minister has endorsed an Australian-like social media ban for under 15’s.[6]

France: France’s Parliament passed legislation in July 2026 introducing a minimum age of 15 for social media, with restrictions due to apply to new accounts from 1 September 2026 and existing accounts belonging to under-15s from January 2027. However, on 14 August 2026, France’s Constitutional Council ruled the legislation unconstitutional. The planned restrictions will therefore not come into force in their current form. President Emmanuel Macron has indicated that the Government intends to develop revised legislation.[7]

Germany: Germany is considering introducing a statutory minimum age for social media, with 16 currently the main age being discussed. A government-appointed expert commission is examining child and youth protection in the digital world and is expected to report in summer/autumn 2026.[8]

Greece: Prime Minister Mitsotakis announced that children under 15 will be banned from using social platforms beginning 1 January 2027. The Ministry of Digital Governance plans to use the state-built Kids Wallet app to enforce the ban.[9]

India: India is considering age-based restrictions on children's access to social media, with the central government consulting stakeholders on possible measures for under-16s.[10]

Malaysia: Malaysiaimplemented a social media delay for under 16’s in June 2026. Licensed social-media platforms are required to verify users' ages using official identification documents, such as a MyKad or passport, to ensure that only users aged 16 and above can register for and hold accounts.[11]

Netherlands: The Dutch government is considering a social media ban for minors under 15, to be enforced through privacy-friendly age verification, though the proposal is at an early stage with key details still undefined.[12]

New Zealand: New Zealand’s Prime Minister has proposed a bill similar to Australia’s social media delay. Social media companies will need to verify users were at least 16 before allowing them to create an account, or face fines of up to NZ$2m ($1.2m).[13]

Norway: Norway’s government will present a bill to Parliament before the end of 2026 proposing an age limit for children using social media. The age limit will apply from 1 January of the year a child turns 16, so that entire school cohorts gain access simultaneously. Technology companies will be responsible for age verification at login.[14]

Poland: Poland’s Minister of Education presented plans in February 2026 to ban social media use for children under 15, alongside a ban on mobile phones in primary schools. Companies that do not comply could face fines of up to 6% of their annual revenue.[15]

Portugal: Portugal’s parliament approved a bill in February 2026 requiring explicit parental consent for children aged 13 to 16 to access social media. Tech companies that ignore the restrictions face fines of up to 2% of their global revenue.[16]

Slovenia: Slovenia is drafting a law that would prohibit children under 15 from accessing social media. The proposal was confirmed by the Deputy Prime Minister in February 2026.[17]

Spain: Spain announced plans to introduce an Australia-style social media ban for under-16s, with Prime Minister Sánchez describing social media as a “failed state” where laws are ignored. Spain is considered the first European country to officially announce such a ban, though it still requires full parliamentary approval.[18]

Sweden: Sweden should introduce a minimum age of 15 for the use of social media, a government-appointed commission recommended in early June.[19]

Turkey: Turkey passed legislation in April 2026 prohibiting social-media platforms from providing services to children under 15. The legislation requires platforms to implement age-verification measures and additional protections for users aged 15–18. The law was published in the Official Gazette on 1 May 2026, with the social-network provisions scheduled to enter into force on 1 November 2026.[20]

UAE: The UAE introduced a minimum age of 15 for social media through Cabinet Resolution No. 106 of 2026, adopted on 18 June 2026. Children under 15 are prohibited from creating, using or operating personal social-media accounts and from accessing full social-interaction features. Platforms are required to implement effective age-verification measures and other safeguards for children. [21]

UK: The UK Government announced in June 2026 that social-media platforms will be prohibited from offering their services to children under 16. The first regulations are expected to be laid before Parliament by the end of 2026, with the restrictions expected to come into force in Spring 2027.[22]

Vietnam: Vietnam has proposed rules which would require social media accounts of under 16’s to be registered using the information of a parent or legal guardian, who would be responsible for their account. There is no implementation date and proposals are subject to change.[23]

Updated: August 2026

Disclaimer: The information provided in this table is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Social media age restrictions and related legislation are developing rapidly, and proposed bills, implementation dates, requirements and legal positions may change frequently. While we endeavour to keep this information up to date, we cannot guarantee that it is complete, accurate or current at all times. The information should therefore not be relied upon as a substitute for legal advice or for checking the latest official legislation, regulations or government guidance. Users should obtain appropriate legal advice and consult the relevant official sources before relying on any information contained in this table.

[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyp9d3ddqyo

[2] https://www.dw.com/en/austria-plans-to-ban-social-media-for-under-14s/a-76571330

[3] https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260318-brazil-starts-to-restrict-minors-access-to-social-media

[4] https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/czech-prime-minister-favour-social-media-ban-under-15s-2026-02-08/

[5] https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/cewneyzrlr7o

[6] https://en.yenisafak.com/world/finnish-pm-backs-social-media-ban-for-under15s-over-activity-concerns-3713252

[7] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2vj433xqlo

[8] https://www.reuters.com/world/german-expert-panel-suggests-social-media-ban-under-13s-2026-06-24/

[9] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/08/greece-proposes-social-media-ban-under-15s-anxiety-sleep-problems

[10] https://www.biometricupdate.com/202604/india-weighs-mandatory-kyc-age-checks-for-online-social-platforms

[11] https://www.nbcnews.com/world/asia/malaysia-enforces-ban-social-media-accounts-children-younger-16-rcna347823

[12] https://www.politico.eu/article/d66-cda-vvd-dutch-government-aims-to-keep-under-15s-off-social-media/