Social Media Age Laws by Country
Every country with a law, bill or official plan setting a minimum age for social media, and whether it is really in force, checked at the source.
As of 16 October 2026, Australia, Malaysia and Brazil have under-16 social media rules in force. Turkey's under-15 ban starts around 1 November 2026, the UK and Denmark have announced bans, Greece, Canada and the EU have bills, and France's ban was struck down.
Social Media Age Laws by Country
Frequently asked
Which country banned social media for under-16s first?
Australia. Its ban on under-16s holding accounts on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and X took effect on 10 December 2025.
Does France ban social media for under-15s?
No. Parliament passed an under-15 ban in July 2026, but the Constitutional Council struck it down on 14 August 2026 (Decision 2026-911 DC), so it never took effect.
Is the UK banning social media for under-16s?
It has announced it. The government said on 15 June 2026 that social media would be blocked for under-16s, with regulations due by the end of 2026 and the first rules expected in spring 2027. WhatsApp and Signal are not meant to be covered.
Is there a social media age law in the United States?
Not a federal ban. COPPA requires parental consent to collect data from children under 13, which is why most apps set 13 as their minimum. Several states have their own laws, many of them challenged in court.
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