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These are the countries moving to ban social media for children

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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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Aminu Kano hospital introduces IVF service for childless couples

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The Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) has recorded a major milestone with the introduction of In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) service provision to restore hopes of childless couples.

The milestone was recorded by a team of the hospital’s assisted reproductive health technology and others.

The Chief Consultant Gynaecologist and IVF Specialist at AKTH, Dr Ibrahim Rais, disclosed this in a video shared on the hospital’s official Facebook page.

Mr Rais said the team collected eggs from two women, while semen samples were also collected from their husbands for the next stage of the IVF procedure.

“Today marks a great milestone in the history of AKTH and the IVF service provision in the institution.

“The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, CMD, Abdulrahman Sheshe and his team has been working assiduously and today we have achieved this great milestone of the first egg collection in this institution.

“We have collected eggs from two women and also collected semen samples from their husbands. The eggs collected will be fertilised with their husbands’ sperm and we hope to achieve success.

“We are going to continue the service provision with three more patients and then we cap it up on Sunday with the last patient,” he said.

Mr Rais said commencement of the service would bring the service close to the population and restore hope among couples suffering from infertility.

“It is also important to note that starting IVF services in AKTH has been a very important development because the center will form one of points for service provision to the teeming population needing IVF services.

“It will form a centre of excellence for training in the field of Obstetric and Gynaecologist and Reproductive medicine.

“We have extracted more than a dozen eggs for now. Embryologists are working assiduously to ensure that there is fertilisation by sperm of the patients that had the procedure.

“We will go on to get more eggs that will generate more embryos and translate to potential more Nigerians,” Mr Rais said.

Similarly, the hospital in a statement on its official handle, said the milestone was achieved through the collaborative efforts of AKTH staff, specialist reproductive health experts from Jos and Abuja, and two embryologists.

It described the development as a significant step towards expanding advanced fertility services and bringing hope closer to residents.

Meanwhile, the hospital congratulated the the AKTH team for attaining the feat.

(NAN)

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Nigerian Trio Take Major Step as Buruj Football Academy Secures UK Trial Opportunities

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Three promising Nigerian youngsters — Raheem Moyinoluwa Salaudeen, Fawas Ayomide Adeleke and Jacob Obiora Iyida — are taking another important step in their football development after being registered for trial opportunities in the United Kingdom.

The trio, who are associated with Buruj Football Club and Buruj Sports Academy, will have the opportunity to experience football in a different environment while testing themselves against talented players in the UK.

Read Also: “When We Honour Our Legends, We Invest in the Future” — SSA Adeboye Commends Ex-Internationals Cup

The registration is part of Buruj’s wider commitment to creating international pathways for young Nigerian footballers and providing them with opportunities to gain exposure beyond the domestic football system.

For Raheem, Fawas and Jacob, the UK opportunity represents more than simply a football trial. It is a chance to learn, adapt and understand the demands of playing in a different football culture.

The three youngsters have continued to show commitment and determination throughout their development, and their latest opportunity provides another platform to showcase the qualities they have developed through their time in Nigeria.

Speaking about the opportunity, Raheem Salaudeen said:

“This is a big opportunity for us and we are grateful to everyone who has supported our journey. We want to go there, learn as much as possible, compete with confidence and show what Nigerian young players can do.”

Fawas Adeleke also expressed his determination to make the most of the experience:

“I see this as an opportunity to improve myself and understand a different style of football. I want to work hard, listen to the coaches and make every opportunity count. Hopefully, this will open another door for my career.”

For Jacob Obiora Iyida, the focus is equally clear — continue learning, gaining experience and taking another step towards his professional ambitions.

“I’m excited about the opportunity because playing outside Nigeria has always been one of my goals. I know there is a lot to learn, so I want to stay focused, work hard and show my best whenever I get the chance.”

Buruj Football Club and Buruj Sports Academy believe international exposure can play a significant role in the development of young footballers, allowing them to experience different coaching philosophies, tactical approaches and football cultures.

The academy’s development philosophy also places emphasis on education and personal development, ensuring that young players are prepared not only for possible professional careers but also for life beyond football.

The UK trip therefore represents another stage in a broader development pathway designed to help Nigerian youngsters build confidence, experience and international connections.

For Raheem, Fawas and Jacob, the message is simple: the opportunity has arrived, and now it is time to make it count.

From Nigeria to the United Kingdom, another chapter begins—with bigger dreams ahead.

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