Global Push to Restrict Children's Social Media Access Gains Momentum

Executive Briefing

• Surpasses 20 countries now enforcing, proposing, or debating age-based social media restrictions for minors
• Australia led the charge banning under-16s in December 2025, followed by Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, and Turkey
• Europe accelerates action as an expert committee prepares EU-wide recommendations affecting all 27 member states
• Drives concern over mental health, addictive algorithms, cyberbullying, and AI-generated content targeting young users
• Challenges remain around age verification, privacy enforcement, and balancing restrictions with free expression