Countries move to ban social media for children as regulators tighten youth protections

New rules target addiction risk and predator exposure

Australia kicked off the trend in late 2025 with a ban aimed at shielding children from social media pressures and harms. Regulators cite risks like cyberbullying, social media addiction, and exposure to predators—concerns now driving other countries to consider similar restrictions. The policy wave is reshaping how platforms will handle youth access and age verification.