according to an AFP tally. Most target children under 15 or 16.

Restrictions already in force: Australia banned social media for under-16s in December 2025. Brazil requires platforms to link under-16 users' accounts to their parents' and verify ages. China has progressively restricted minors' access since 2019, extending gaming time limits to social media and streaming in 2023. Indonesia and Malaysia banned under-16s in March and June 2026 respectively. Turkey passed legislation barring under-15s in April, effective late 2026. The UAE announced a ban on under-15s, effective in about a year. Restrictions announced: Greece intends to ban under-15s from January 2027. Austria and Slovenia are preparing bans for under-14s and under-15s. Germany's expert commission proposed age-graded or platform-specific restrictions. Sweden proposed banning under-15s by early 2028. Ireland warns it may legislate without an EU move. Denmark announced plans to ban several platforms for under-15s. Norway will present a bill for under-16s this year. The UK aims to ban under-16s by early 2027. Canada wants a minimum age of 16. Several Indian states are considering restrictions. Under consideration: France is debating a ban on under-15s — the Senate amended it to target only the most harmful platforms, with a final version expected soon. Portugal is considering setting independent access at 16. Spain proposed raising the minimum registration age from 14 to 16. Italy is considering a ban on under-15s. An expert committee is due to submit recommendations to the European Commission on Monday regarding a potential EU-wide social media ban for children. (Bssnews)