Over the past several months, many countries have announced plans to restrict social media access for children and teens. Australia became the world’s first country to ban social media for children under 16 at the end of last year, setting a precedent that other nations are now closely watching.

The regulations aim to reduce pressures and risks young users may face on social media, including cyberbullying, addiction, mental health issues, and exposure to predators. Critics argue such bans are ineffective and ignore younger generations' realities but many governments remain committed.

Denmark is set to ban social media platforms for children under 15, the French have passed a bill to ban it for kids under 15, Germany's conservatives discussed a proposal for children under 16, Greece will ban access starting January 2027, Indonesia plans to start with YouTube and TikTok, Malaysia is set to implement a ban this year, Slovenia is drafting legislation prohibiting access for children under 15, Spain also plans a ban for kids under 16, and the UK is weighing a ban on social media for children under 16.

These moves reflect growing concerns over the impact of social media on young people's mental health and well-being. However, they may also spark debates about privacy, government intervention and the effectiveness of such measures in addressing broader issues faced by digital natives.