The Times of India

UK to ban social media for under-16s: 5 countries that are already restricting children's access online

The UK government has revealed it would ban social media for anyone under 16. The ban would go into place early 2027.The ban would take effect in early 2027. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described the move as the right step for Britain. It would apply to major platforms including Instagram, Facebook, X, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube. The UK would also not be alone, joining a growing number of countries hardening their own limits or imposing age restrictions on the growing social media problem. These five countries have already introduced these kinds of restrictions:AustraliaIn November 2025, became the first country to 100% ban under-16s from holding social media accounts. The new law forces tech companies to verify users' ages and block accounts belonging to minors. It was the result of years of growing concern about the effect of social media on cyberbullying, online harassment, body images and the addictive nature of social media algorithms. Supporters hailed the ban as one of the most effective digital child protection laws ever introduced.IndonesiaIndonesia made headlines across Asia when it announced a ban on social media use for children under 16 in March 2026. The move came after growing concerns about online addiction, cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content and the amount of time children were spending on digital platforms. According to various media reports, the regulation applies to around 70 million under-16s, the government said, who make up 25% of Indonesia's 280 million population.MalaysiaMalaysia in early June began enforcing rules barring millions of children younger than 16 from having social media accounts. Social media platforms with at least 8 million users in Malaysia, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, must implement age-verification systems and block users under 16 from creating accounts. Users identified as under 16 have a month to download or transfer data, including photos and videos, before restrictions or other actions are applied. Companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to 10 million ringgit (2.5 million U.S. dollars). Parents whose children manage to bypass the law will not be penalized.FranceFrance chose a different approach back in July 2023. Rather than an outright ban, the country passed a law that requires parental approval for any child under 15 to be on social media. However, technical challenges have since affected its enforcement. Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron is hoping France will become one of the first European Union countries to ban social media for under-15s, following similar moves in Australia and Indonesia. This is amid growing evidence linking excessive social media use to anxiety, poor sleep and declining mental wellbeing among teenagers.ChinaChina has taken one of the toughest approaches to children's digital use. Authorities introduced restrictions on screen time, gaming hours and online content for minors. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has also asked technology firms to enforce a stringent Minor Mode. When the Feature is on, these operating systems and apps automatically enforce daily usage limits (e.g. 40 minutes for young teens) and block internet access between 10pm and 6am.The aim, according to Chinese authorities, is to reduce internet addiction and encourage healthier routines among young people.Why parents around the world are paying attentionThe increased call for restrictions comes from a common concern. Interviews across many countries have found that excessive social media use is associated with growing levels of anxiety, isolation, disruptions to sleep, cyberbullying and low self-esteem among young people. Yet social media isnt all bad. It also helps children learn, express themselves creatively and stay connected to friends. That is why many experts insist the main challenge is not banning technology, but finding the right balance.