A global movement to restrict children’s access to social media is rapidly gathering steam, as countries across multiple continents coordinate new legislation aimed at protecting minors online. India has now joined the growing list of nations considering age-based restrictions, signaling that the debate over children’s digital safety has entered a new phase.
India Confirms Talks on Age Restrictions
India’s IT Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, confirmed this week that the government is in discussions with major social media platforms about implementing age limits. Speaking at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Vaishnaw said, “Right now we are in a conversation regarding deepfakes, regarding age-based restrictions with the various social media platforms.”
This marks the first time New Delhi has publicly acknowledged plans to introduce federal-level restrictions on children’s social media use, underscoring the growing international pressure for action.
Wave of Legislative Action Across Europe and Beyond
France took a firm step forward in January when its National Assembly approved legislation banning social media for children under 15. The bill now awaits Senate approval, with President Emmanuel Macron urging that it take effect by September—just before the new school year.
Spain soon followed, announcing plans for a ban on users under 16, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez describing the current environment as “a digital Wild West” in need of urgent reform. Greece and Slovenia are advancing similar proposals, both targeting the under-15 age group.
In the United Kingdom, the government is holding a public consultation on a potential under-16 ban, with results expected by summer 2026. Collectively, these efforts reflect an accelerating “coalition of the digitally willing,” as European leaders coordinate strategies to curb youth exposure to social media platforms.
Implementation Timeline Expands Worldwide
Australia became the first nation to enforce an under-16 ban in December 2025, prohibiting minors from using major platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube. Companies that fail to comply face penalties of up to AUD 49.5 million.
Denmark intends to implement its own under-15 rule by mid-2026, while Malaysia has announced plans to roll out similar restrictions for under-16s later this year. The alignment of these timelines suggests a growing push for synchronized global standards.
Europe Tests Unified Verification System
To support enforcement, five EU countries—Spain, France, Greece, Denmark, and Italy—are testing a European Commission age verification app. Expected to launch by March, the tool will issue digital age certificates that confirm a user’s eligibility to access social media.
According to Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier, platforms will not be forced to use the EU system but must demonstrate that any alternative verification method is equally effective. Danish officials described the tool as a practical framework for ensuring that new age-based restrictions can be applied consistently across member states.
