UK Bans Under-16s from Social Media, Joins Global Trend

Britain has stated its intention to ban individuals under 16 from using a range of social media applications, including Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. The stated purpose of this measure is to protect young people from potentially harmful content and to reduce excessive screen time.

This initiative places the UK within a broader global movement focused on enforcing age-based restrictions or requirements for access to social media platforms. While some child advocacy groups and parents have expressed support, critics have raised concerns about the effectiveness of such bans and potential privacy implications.

Australia implemented a ban in December, barring under-16s from holding accounts on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, and Twitch. Technology firms face potential fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($35 million) if they fail to take reasonable steps to remove underage accounts. The Australian government reports that companies have closed nearly 5 million accounts identified as belonging to children.

Indonesia announced in March that under-16s would not be permitted to have accounts on platforms that could expose them to addiction, pornography, online scams, and cyberbullying. Affected platforms include YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and the gaming platform Roblox.

In Malaysia, social media platforms with at least 8 million users, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, are mandated to implement age-verification systems and prevent users under 16 from creating accounts. Non-compliant companies could incur penalties of up to 10 million ringgit ($2.5 million).

Brazil introduced a law in March that requires individuals under 16 to link their social media accounts to a legal guardian for supervision. The legislation also prohibits platforms from using addictive features like infinite scroll and automatic video playback. Digital services must implement age verification mechanisms beyond self-declaration to protect users from inappropriate content.

Canada's government introduced legislation this month to establish a Digital Safety Commission. This regulator could ban children younger than 16 from social media accounts unless companies demonstrate their ability to remove harmful content, including nonconsensual intimate images, material inducing self-harm, inciting violence, or fomenting hatred.

Other countries, including France, Spain, Denmark, Greece, Thailand, and South Korea, are reportedly considering or are in the process of implementing measures to restrict minors' access to social media.

According to Fortune, this story was originally featured on Fortune.com.