Global Push for Under‑16 Social Media Bans Gains Momentum

Governments worldwide are tightening rules that restrict children under 16 from using social‑media platforms. Australia has raised penalties to as much as $99 million for firms that fail to enforce its ban, while the United Kingdom plans to introduce an under‑16 ban in spring 2027. France is moving toward an under‑15 prohibition, Norway is preparing a similar under‑16 rule, and Brazil now requires legal‑guardian oversight for users under 16. In the United States, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Ohio’s Social Media Parental Notification Act, obligating platforms to obtain parental permission before a minor can open or maintain an account. Early evidence suggests bans impede access but many youths continue to use fake ages or borrowed accounts, raising questions about their overall effectiveness in protecting children from online risks such as cyber‑bullying, misinformation, and harmful content.