written by Alice Njoki
More countries are now moving to restrict or ban social media use for children, following the example set by Australia.
Australia became the first country to introduce a nationwide ban on social media for children under 16 in 2025. The government said the law was introduced to protect young people from rising cases of cyberbullying, addiction to screens, mental health struggles, and exposure to harmful or inappropriate content online. Officials argued that children need more protection in the digital space, just like they are protected in other areas of life.
And now, several countries have started to take similar actions.
In Greece, the government has announced plans to restrict social media for children under 15. The policy is expected to take effect in the coming years, with leaders saying it will help address issues like poor mental health and sleep problems among teenagers.
Other countries, including Denmark and Malaysia, are also working on laws to limit access for young users. Some are proposing strict age limits, while others are considering parental controls and identity checks.
Across Europe, countries such as Spain, France, Germany, and Italy are discussing or testing rules to reduce children’s use of social media.
These actions come as governments respond to growing concerns about the impact of social media on children’s mental health, safety, and education.
While some experts support the bans, others question how effective they will be, especially since many children may still find ways to access social media.