In late 2025, Australia enacted a law that affects social media use throughout the nation. Under the law, social media companies were ordered to prevent users under the age of 16 from using their services.

According to government officials, the ban is designed to protect young people from the dangers of social media. These include algorithms that encourage smartphone addiction and unfiltered access to harmful content.

Now, more countries are following Australia’s example and taking steps to protect young people online. This year, France approved laws that would ban children under the age of 15 from social media, making it the first European nation to do so.

Other European countries, such as the U.K., Austria, Spain, and Denmark, have also recently announced plans to ban or limit social media use for children. In March, Indonesia became the first country in Southeast Asia to implement such a ban.

Numerous other countries are also exploring similar social media legislation. They hope to provide greater safety for children in the otherwise unregulated online world.