Youth Social Media Restrictions Go Viral Worldwide
Australia enacted legislation blocking social media platform access for anyone under 16, which took effect Dec. 10.
Meta, Facebook's parent company, reported 550,000 account terminations following implementation, comprising 330,000 on Instagram, 173,000 on Facebook and 39,000 on Threads.
Approximately 10 platforms face enforcement, including X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, Twitch, Threads and Kick.
European nations mirror Australian strategy
Multiple European governments have subsequently pursued comparable regulatory frameworks.
Denmark enacted a resolution Nov. 7 prohibiting users under 15 from accessing social networking services.
Spain ratified legislation in June 2024 elevating the minimum age for data protection authorization from 14 to 16, while France and Norway have already established boundaries linked to digital readiness.
US, Türkiye, China strategies diverge
In the US, the federal structure has generated a patchwork regulatory landscape for age authentication and guardian approval. Multiple states, including Florida, are evaluating platform-specific prohibitions, while legislative initiatives continue progressing elsewhere.
In Türkiye, the Grand National Assembly is examining a prospective ban on social media usage for children under 15.
Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas indicated social network operators would face mandates preventing access by users below that threshold.
A proposed law addressing social media governance for children under 15 is anticipated for submission to the appropriate parliamentary committee by January's conclusion.
China operates under a distinct framework, sustaining one of the planet's most rigorous digital oversight infrastructures.
Children under 18 encounter limitations on mobile data applications, restricting access to designated apps during defined timeframes and permitting only material sanctioned by the Cyberspace Administration of China as beneficial for physical and psychological advancement.
Users aged 16-17 receive authorization for up to two hours of daily app usage, those aged 8-15 one hour, and children under 8 merely 40 minutes.
The Chinese iteration of TikTok, Douyin, implements a youth mode for users under 14, emphasizing educational material such as science experiments and museum exhibitions.
Most prominent US-based social media platforms remain prohibited in China.
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