Over the past several months, many countries have announced plans to restrict social media access for children and teens. Australia became the first to implement such measures at the end of last year, setting a precedent that other countries are now closely watching.
Australia’s regulations, along with other countries’ proposals, aim to reduce the pressures and risks that young users may face on social media, which include cyberbullying, addiction, mental health issues, and exposure to predators.
Of course, there are concerns about privacy regarding invasive age verification and excessive government intervention. Critics, including Amnesty Tech, have said such bans are ineffective and that they ignore the realities of younger generations. Despite this, many nations are moving ahead with proposed legislation.
We’ve compiled a list of countries that are considering or have already moved forward with bans on social media for young users.
Australia
Australia became the world’s first country to ban social media for children under 16 in December 2025. The ban blocks children from using Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick. It notably doesn’t include WhatsApp or YouTube Kids.
The Australian government has said these social media companies must take steps to keep children off their services. Companies that fail to comply may face penalties of up to $49.5 million AUD ($34.4 million USD).
The government says these platforms should use multiple verification methods to ensure that people using their services are older than 16. It also notes that they can’t rely on users simply entering their own age.
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Austria
Austria said in late March that it will ban social media for children up to the age of 14. Draft legislation for the ban would is expected to be finalized by June.
Denmark
Denmark is set to ban social media platforms for children under 15. The Danish government announced in November 2025 that it had secured support for the ban from three governing coalition parties and two opposition parties in parliament.
The government’s plans could become law as soon as mid-2026, according to the Associated Press. The Danish digital affairs ministry is also launching a “digital evidence” app that includes age verification tools that may be used as part of the ban.
France
In late January, French lawmakers passed a bill that would ban social media for kids under 15. President Emmanuel Macron has supported the measure as a way to protect children from excessive screen time.
The bill still has to get through the country’s Senate before a final vote in the lower house.
Germany
In early February, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives discussed a proposal to bar children under 16 from using social media, Reuters reported. However, there were signs that his center-left coalition partners were hesitant to support an outright ban.
Greece
Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced in April that the country is going to ban access to social media for children under 15 starting January 2027. Mitsotakis says the move is aimed at tackling rising anxiety and sleep problems among children, as well as the addictive design of social media.
Indonesia
Indonesia said in early March that it’s banning children under the age of 16 from using social media and other popular online platforms. The country plans to start with platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox.
Malaysia
The Malaysian government said in November 2025 that it plans to ban social media for children under 16. The country plans to implement the ban this year.
Poland
Poland’s ruling party is drafting new legislation that would ban children under 15 from using social media, Bloomberg reported in Februrary.
Slovenia
Slovenia is drafting legislation to prohibit children under 15 from accessing social media, the country’s deputy prime minister announced in early February. The government wants to regulate social networks where content is shared, citing platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.
Spain
Spain’s prime minister announced in early February that the country plans to ban social media for children under the age of 16. The ban still needs parliamentary approval. The Spanish government is also seeking to create a law that would make social media executives personally accountable for hate speech on their platforms.
Turkey
The Turkish parliament in April passed a bill to restrict social media access for children under 15. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan must now accept the bill for it to pass into law.
UK
The United Kingdom is weighing a ban on social media for children under 16. The government says it will consult parents, young people, and civil society for their views to determine whether a ban would be effective.
It will also consider whether to require social media companies to limit or remove features that drive compulsive use, such as endless scrolling.
This story was originally published in February 2026 and is updated regularly with new information.
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The Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, officially declared open the 11th Jos National Trade Fair at the Polo Field, Jos, with a renewed commitment to positioning Plateau State as a leading centre for agricultural processing, industrial development and investment in Nigeria.
The trade fair, organised by the Plateau State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PLACCIMA) in collaboration with the Plateau State Government, is themed “Harnessing Agricultural and Livestock Value Chains for Food Security, Job Creation and Shared Prosperity.”
The event brought together business owners, farmers, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, investors, exhibitors and other stakeholders from within and outside Nigeria to showcase products, explore investment opportunities, strengthen business partnerships and promote economic development.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Governor Mutfwang expressed optimism about the economic future of Plateau State, revealing his administration’s ambition to transform the state into a major industrial processing hub within the next two to three years.
The Governor highlighted the importance of infrastructure development, agricultural transformation, livestock production and industrial revival in restoring Plateau’s commercial strength and creating sustainable economic opportunities for its people.
He also disclosed that his recent trip to China had resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding with Chinese investors interested in establishing an industrial park in Plateau State.
According to the Governor, the proposed investment is part of the broader efforts to attract investors, strengthen local industries and create an environment where agricultural produce can be processed into finished and marketable products.
The initiative is expected to support value addition, stimulate economic activities and create employment opportunities for the growing population, particularly young people.
HARNESSING AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK FOR SHARED PROSPERITY
The theme of the 11th National Trade Fair underscores the importance of moving beyond primary agricultural production to developing a complete value chain that connects farmers and livestock producers with processors, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers.
Plateau State possesses considerable potential in crop production, livestock farming and agro-processing. Harnessing these opportunities effectively could strengthen food security, reduce post-harvest losses, improve farmers’ incomes and create employment across different sectors.
The fair provides a platform for stakeholders to explore partnerships, showcase innovations, discover new markets and identify opportunities for investment in agriculture, livestock, mining, manufacturing and other industries.
COMMISSIONER ASHOMS CALLS FOR GREATER PARTICIPATION
The Plateau State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon. Musa Ibrahim Ashoms, has described the 2026 edition as a unique opportunity for residents, entrepreneurs and investors to expand their business horizons.
He encouraged Plateau residents to patronise exhibitors, explore new products and take advantage of the commercial opportunities available at the fair.
Ashoms also highlighted the potential of the state’s livestock value chain, including the planned ultra-modern abattoir around Heipang, which is expected to create opportunities for livestock producers, traders, processors and other businesses.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to promoting business activities and encouraged residents not to miss the opportunities presented by the event.
The Commissioner also expressed appreciation to the exhibitors, PLACCIMA, the Plateau State Government and the media for their contributions to the trade fair.
PLACCIMA AND ORGANISERS PROMOTE BUSINESS CONNECTIONS
The trade fair, organised by PLACCIMA in collaboration with the Plateau State Government, is designed to strengthen commercial relationships and provide businesses with access to customers, partners and potential investors.
The organisers have emphasised the importance of connecting agricultural production with processing, marketing and distribution, ensuring that more economic benefits reach farmers, entrepreneurs and communities.
The event also features exhibitions across several sectors, including agriculture, livestock, mining, manufacturing and Nigerian-made products, alongside entertainment and family-oriented activities.
A NEW CHAPTER FOR BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT IN PLATEAU
The official opening of the 11th Jos National Trade Fair represents an opportunity to renew confidence in Plateau State’s commercial potential and encourage stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and local businesses.
Beyond the exhibitions, the real measure of success will be the partnerships established, investments attracted, jobs created and lasting economic benefits generated for the people.
As Plateau State pursues its ambition of becoming a major industrial processing hub, stakeholders will need to sustain the momentum by investing in infrastructure, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, improving access to finance, strengthening agricultural value chains and creating a business environment that encourages innovation.
For farmers, manufacturers, entrepreneurs and investors, the message is clear: the future of Plateau’s economy depends not only on the resources it possesses but also on how effectively those resources are developed, processed and transformed into sustainable wealth.
The 11th Jos National Trade Fair therefore stands as a platform for promoting enterprise, attracting investment and advancing the vision of food security, job creation and shared prosperity across Plateau State and Nigeria.
📍 Venue: Polo Field, Jos, Plateau State
📅 Official Opening: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
🎪 Event: 11th Jos National Trade Fair
🎯 Theme: Harnessing Agricultural and Livestock Value Chains for Food Security, Job Creation and Shared Prosperity.
Former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Sam Amadi, has launched a scathing attack on Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, accusing him of political suppression and poor governance.
In a statement, Amadi alleged that Governor Mbah is intolerant of opposition and deliberately suppressing dissenting voices in the state.
According to him, Mbah is failing unnecessarily despite the huge resources and goodwill available to his administration.
"You are failing unnecessarily. You are suppressing opposition instead of delivering governance. Enugu people deserve better," Amadi said.
He argued that the Mbah-led administration has failed to provide purposeful leadership and is more concerned with silencing critics than addressing the real challenges facing the state, including infrastructure decay, youth unemployment and economic hardship.
He added that democracy thrives on opposition and constructive criticism, stressing that any government that gags its people is heading towards authoritarianism.
Amadi further alleged that several opposition members and vocal citizens in the state have been harassed and intimidated for speaking out against the policies of the current administration.
He urged Governor Mbah to retrace his steps and focus on delivering his campaign promises to Ndi Enugu rather than fighting perceived political enemies.
He also questioned reports that the proposed NDC town hall meeting involving the party’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, had been blocked, asking why opposition political activities had increasingly faced challenges in Enugu.
Amadi compared the political atmosphere in Enugu with those in Imo, Anambra and Ebonyi states, arguing that opposition parties appeared to have more room to operate in those states.
He maintained that Mbah had the right to support President Bola Tinubu but argued that such support should not come at the expense of political pluralism and the rights of opposition parties.