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Some 20 countries worldwide have proposed or introduced measures to restrict children's access to social media, with five nations already enforcing such rules, according to an Agence France-Presse (AFP) tally.
France's parliament is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a bill banning social media for under-15s, following a compromise between the National Assembly and the Senate.
The lower house approved the measure at first reading in January, while the Senate later narrowed it to target only the most harmful platforms.
The government hopes the law will take effect in September. Digital Minister Anne Le Henanff said the measure would make France the first country in Europe to establish a "digital legal age."
Australia has banned social media for under-16s since December 2025. Brazil introduced a law in March requiring platforms to link accounts of users under 16 to a parent's account and to verify users' ages.
Indonesia and Malaysia have imposed similar bans for under-16s, taking effect in March and June, respectively.
China has progressively restricted minors' access to social media and gaming platforms since 2019, expanding time limits and curfews to streaming platforms in 2023.
Türkiye passed legislation in April barring under-15s from social media, with the law expected to take effect in late 2026. The United Arab Emirates announced a ban for under-15s last month, with implementation planned within a year.
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Within the European Union, the European Commission plans to propose rules later this year for a full ban on social media for under-13s and graded access for those aged 13 to 18.
Greece intends to bar under-15s from social media starting January 2027, while Austria and Slovenia are preparing legislation covering under-14s and under-15s.
In Germany, an expert commission has proposed either an age-graded ban or platform-specific restrictions, an approach backed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Sweden's government commission has proposed banning social media for under-15s by early 2028, and Denmark said in October 2025 it would propose banning "several social media platforms" for under-15s. Ireland has said it may legislate if the EU does not act first.
Outside the bloc, Norway plans to introduce a bill by year's end to restrict access for under-16s. The United Kingdom is targeting a ban for under-16s by early 2027 under a plan introduced by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Canada has proposed setting the minimum age for social media use at 16, while several Indian states are weighing restrictions and the government has held talks with platforms on potential measures.
Portugal is considering legislation setting the age of independent access to platforms, games and applications at 16.
Spain has proposed raising the minimum registration age for social media from 14 to 16. Italy's parliament is reviewing a bill that would bar social media use for children under 15.
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