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A growing global movement is reshaping how countries think about young people online

Much of the discussion across youth wellbeing and digital safety has centred on Australia. Its under-16 social media ban has dominated headlines and policy debate across the region. But step back from the day-to-day coverage and a different picture emerges. Australia is not alone. It is part of a fast-moving international shift as governments experiment with restrictions on young people’s digital lives.

Drawing on recent Reuters reporting, HORIZON looks at what is happening globally, country by country, and what early signals are starting to emerge.

Australia: the first mover

Australia became the first country to introduce a blanket ban on social media for children under 16, requiring platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to block access or face significant fines.

Within weeks of enforcement, regulators said platforms had removed about 4.7 million accounts belonging to under-16s, signalling the scale and speed of compliance.

The move has effectively set a global benchmark and triggered policy discussions across multiple continents.

Europe: a wave of proposals and pilot legislation

Spain

Spain plans to ban social media for under-16s and introduce stronger accountability for platform operators, reflecting growing political concern about youth exposure to harmful content.

France

France’s National Assembly has backed legislation banning social media for under-15s, alongside wider restrictions including limits on mobile phone use in schools.

Greece

Greece is reported to be close to announcing a ban for children under 15, positioning itself alongside Spain and France in tightening youth protections.

Slovenia

Slovenia is drafting legislation to restrict access to social media for minors under 15 as part of a broader European trend.

Denmark

Denmark has proposed banning social media access for children under 15, while allowing parental exemptions for younger teenagers.

Britain (United Kingdom)

The UK is examining an Australia-style ban through a consultation process exploring whether such restrictions would improve safety and wellbeing outcomes.

Germany

German policymakers are debating age limits for under-16s, although some leaders remain cautious about blanket bans, highlighting ongoing debate within Europe itself.

European Union

At a regional level, the European Parliament has called for stronger age-limit frameworks and proposed raising minimum sign-up ages, signalling a coordinated regulatory direction.

Italy and Norway

Rather than outright bans, countries such as Italy and Norway rely on parental consent rules or age-based safeguards, showing a more incremental approach.

Asia-Pacific and beyond: restrictions taking different forms

Malaysia

Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s from 2026 and introduce licensing requirements for large platforms, framing the move as a response to cyberbullying and online harms.

China

China has already introduced strict age-based usage limits and time controls for minors, representing one of the most interventionist regulatory approaches globally.

India

India is debating age limits nationally, while the state of Goa has explored an Australia-style ban amid rising concern about mental health impacts.

Türkiye

Türkiye is considering curbs including stronger age verification and restrictions on minors’ social media access as part of a broader regulatory push.

United States

In the U.S., federal and state proposals focus more on parental consent and algorithm restrictions rather than outright bans, reflecting legal and constitutional complexities.

What early signals are emerging?

Despite the rapid expansion of policy ideas, evidence of impact remains limited and mixed.

Large-scale compliance
Australia’s removal of millions of accounts shows that enforcement can happen quickly when governments mandate platform action.
Policy momentum
Reuters reporting suggests the most immediate outcome has been political: multiple countries have accelerated digital-safety debates after Australia’s move.
Different national strategies
Not all countries are pursuing outright bans. Some favour parental consent rules or tighter age-verification systems instead, reflecting uncertainty about what works best.

What is still missing is long-term data. Many governments are effectively running live policy experiments, with outcomes on mental health, learning, and social connection still unclear.

A growing debate for the MHAID sector

For those working across youth wellbeing and mental health, the global picture raises complex questions.

Supporters argue that restrictions are overdue, pointing to growing evidence of digital harms and the influence of algorithm-driven content. Critics counter that bans risk oversimplifying the relationship between technology and wellbeing, potentially pushing young people into less visible or less regulated online spaces.

What is clear is that the conversation has moved beyond Australia.

Across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, governments are redefining what childhood online should look like. Whether these policies lead to measurable improvements in mental health, or simply shift behaviour elsewhere, remains an open question.

And perhaps that is where the real debate now sits.

Is this the beginning of a safer digital environment for young people, or the start of a new set of unintended consequences that societies are only beginning to understand?

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