Social media groups face Europe backlash as Spain, Greece weigh teen bans

February 3, 2026 10:18 PM

Social media groups face Europe backlash as Spain, Greece weigh teen bans

Spain and Greece on Tuesday proposed bans on social media use by teenagers, marking a hardening of attitudes by European nations against technology platforms they say are designed to be addictive and which can expose children to harmful content. Spain wants to prohibit social media for those aged under 16, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday. Greece is close to announcing a similar ban for children under 15, a senior government source said. They join a host of countries such as Britai...

UK weighs Australia-style social media ban for children under 16

January 20, 2026 10:58 PM

UK weighs Australia-style social media ban for children under 16

Britain is considering an Australian-style ban on social media for children under 16, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer warning on Tuesday they risk being pulled into "a world of endless scrolling, anxiety and comparison". Starmer said the government was prepared to take robust action, a day after it announced it would examine whether features such as infinite scrolling and the age at which children can access platforms should be restricted and how such measures could be imposed. "This is a hug...

Australia social media ban hits 4.7 million teen accounts in first month

January 15, 2026 6:35 PM

Australia social media ban hits 4.7 million teen accounts in first month

Social media companies have collectively deactivated nearly five million accounts belonging to Australian teenagers just a month after a world-first ban on under‑16s took effect, the country's internet regulator said, a sign the measure has had a swift and sweeping impact. The eSafety Commissioner said platforms had so far removed about 4.7 million accounts held by under-16s to comply with a law that went live on December 10. Some platforms had said they would start closing affected accounts ...

Australia’s ban on social media access for under-16s takes effect

December 10, 2025 12:25 AM

Australia’s ban on social media access for under-16s takes effect

Australia has become the first country to ban social media for children under 16, blocking access to platforms including TikTok, Alphabet’s YouTube and Meta’s Instagram and Facebook from midnight. Ten of the biggest platforms were ordered to block children from midnight on Wednesday (1300 GMT on Tuesday) or face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($33 million) under the new law, which drew criticism from major technology companies and free speech advocates, but was welcomed by parents and child ...

Social media ban to ensure Australian children have a childhood: PM Albanese

December 9, 2025 12:26 PM

Social media ban to ensure Australian children have a childhood: PM Albanese

Australia’s world-first social media ban for children under 16 will ensure they have a proper childhood, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday. Albanese wrote to the leaders of Australia’s states and territories to thank them for their support for the social media ban, which comes into effect on Wednesday. He acknowledged that the reform may require some short-term adjustments. “This is the cultural change Australia needs to deliver greater peace of mind for parents and ensure ...

Software owned by Australian banks being tested for social media ban

September 17, 2025 10:12 AM

Software owned by Australian banks being tested for social media ban

Software owned by Australia's biggest banks is being tested as a way to comply with a teen social media ban, which begins in December, people involved in the process said, potentially involving the country's financial sector in the world-first regulatory crackdown. ConnectID is an identity verification tool owned by Australia's top lenders, which confirms a person's age from their bank account details. It is part of a package of software being pitched by Singapore-based age estimation provider ...

Australia passes social media ban for children under 16

November 29, 2024 9:27 AM

Australia passes social media ban for children under 16

Australia approved on Thursday a social media ban for children aged under 16 after an emotive debate that has gripped the nation, setting a benchmark for jurisdictions around the world with one of the toughest regulations targeting Big Tech. The law forces tech giants from Instagram and Facebook owner Meta to TikTok to stop minors logging in or face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million). A trial of methods to enforce it will start in January with the ban to take effect in a year. The Soc...