A Rising Global Ban: The Complete List — Countries Banning Social Media for Teenagers

The world has witnessed in recent years an increasing trend from governments to impose restrictions on the use of social media platforms by children and teenagers. These steps come as part of attempts to protect young users from increasing digital risks such as cyberbullying, screen addiction, and psychological pressure, in addition to the possibility of children being exposed to exploitation attempts online.

This wave began with a historic step taken by Australia when it became the first country in the world to impose an official ban on the use of social media platforms for those under 16 years of age — a decision that pushed many countries to study similar measures or prepare new legislation to regulate minors' use of digital platforms.

Although the primary objective of these laws is to protect children, they sparked a broad debate about privacy issues and age verification mechanisms, where some critics believe these measures may represent excessive interference in users' privacy, while others question the effectiveness of the ban given the new generations' heavy reliance on technology and the internet.

Countries That Have Imposed a Ban or Are Studying Restrictions on Teenagers' Use of Social Media

🇦🇺 Australia

In December 2025, Australia enacted a law prohibiting the use of social media platforms for those under 16 years of age. The decision includes popular platforms such as:

  • Facebook

  • YouTube

  • TikTok

  • X

  • Snapchat

  • Instagram

In contrast, the ban does not include WhatsApp or the children's version YouTube Kids.
The government also required the companies owning the platforms to verify users' ages, or they may face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars.

🇩🇰 Denmark

Denmark plans to impose a ban on social media use for children under 15, with the proposal expected to be converted into law by mid-2026.
The government is also working on developing a special app for age verification known as "Digital Evidence".

🇫🇷 France

French legislators approved a bill banning children under 15 from using social media platforms, which enjoys the support of President Emmanuel Macron.
However, the law still awaits final approval from the Senate before it comes into effect.

🇩🇪 Germany

The conservative camp in Germany, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, discussed a proposal to ban social media use for children under 16, but the decision has not yet received full support from the ruling coalition partners.

🇬🇷 Greece

Greece is moving toward imposing a ban on social media use for children under 15, as part of a broader European wave to regulate minors' use of digital platforms.

🇮🇩 Indonesia

Indonesia announced plans to ban social media use for children under 16, in addition to some digital platforms and the popular gaming platform Roblox.

🇲🇾 Malaysia

Malaysia intends to impose a ban on social media use for children under 16, with implementation of the decision expected to begin during 2026.

🇸🇮 Slovenia

Slovenia is working on legislation that prevents children under 15 from accessing social media platforms, especially those that rely on content sharing such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.

🇪🇸 Spain

Spain announced its intention to ban social media use for children under 16, but the decision still requires parliamentary approval.
The government is also working on a bill that would make social media company executives personally responsible for content published on their platforms.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is studying imposing restrictions on social media use for children under 16.
The government is also exploring the possibility of requiring platforms to remove features that may encourage excessive use, such as the infinite scroll feature.

The Arab World's Position on Banning Social Media for Children

So far, no Arab country has implemented a complete ban on children's use of social media platforms, but some countries have already begun discussing laws aimed at enhancing children's protection online.

🇪🇬 Egypt

In Egypt, parliament is discussing a bill to regulate children's use of social media platforms. This comes after official calls to impose restrictions on minors' use of these platforms until they reach an age that allows them to use them responsibly.

Authorities have also taken measures related to protecting children online, including blocking the gaming platform Roblox in 2026 due to concerns about user communication with children.

🇦🇪 UAE

New child protection laws online came into effect in the United Arab Emirates in 2026, requiring digital platforms, internet service providers, and guardians to take measures to limit children's access to harmful content, without imposing a direct ban on social media use.

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia and Gulf Countries

In Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries such as Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, current policies focus on content monitoring and enhancing digital safety tools, rather than imposing a comprehensive age-based ban on the use of social media platforms.

In Conclusion

The global trend toward regulating children's and teenagers' use of social media platforms is growing, amid increasing concern about their impact on the mental health and digital behavior of new generations. While some countries have chosen to impose a direct ban, others prefer to adopt regulatory laws and digital monitoring tools to achieve a balance between protecting children and freedom of internet use. For all that's new, follow Arabic websites and specialized blogs, alongside what's offered by Egypt stores and Kuwait stores and vitamin stores and international websites, along with Mashhor for social media services.