# Countries Moving to Ban Social Media for Children Global restrictions on social media access for children are increasing. - **Source:** [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com) - **Published:** 2026-07-21 - **Topic:** [Marketing](https://brifing.si/c/marketing) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/70f183ef-9fb0-4b29-aa8d-76e2bae8a8a5 ## Social media bans are spreading In recent months, many countries have announced plans to restrict social media access for children and teens. Australia became the first to implement such measures at the end of last year, setting a precedent for other countries. France is the latest to announce similar measures. ## Australia's pioneering step Australia became the first country to ban social media for children under 16 in December 2025. The ban covers platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. Companies failing to keep children off their platforms could face fines of up to AUD 49.5 million. ## France's new law France passed a law on July 21 banning social media access for anyone under 15. The law could take effect by September 1. It also extends the ban on cellphone use in primary and middle schools to high schools. ## Steps by other countries Countries like Austria, Canada, Denmark, and Greece are also working on similar bans. For example, Denmark plans to ban social media platforms for children under 15, with the law potentially taking effect by mid-2026. ## Criticisms and concerns Such bans raise privacy concerns, especially regarding age verification methods and excessive government intervention. Critics, including Amnesty Tech, argue that these bans are ineffective and ignore the realities of younger generations. ## Future impacts The long-term effects of these bans on children's safety and mental health in digital environments remain uncertain. However, many countries believe such measures are necessary and continue to implement them. ## Sources covering this story - https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/21/social-media-ban-children-countries-list/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._