What other countries are doing to keep children safe online

Recent Jury Verdicts Highlight Global Push for Social Media Regulation to Protect Children

Back-to-back jury decisions this week have validated long-held concerns about social media’s impact on young users, underscoring the absence of meaningful federal regulation in the United States while other countries forge ahead with protective measures.

On Wednesday, a Los Angeles jury found both Meta and YouTube liable for harms caused to children using their platforms. Just a day earlier, a New Mexico jury determined that Meta knowingly harmed children’s mental health and concealed information about child sexual exploitation on its services.

While these verdicts represent significant victories for children’s advocates, many experts argue that without comprehensive federal regulation, platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok are unlikely to implement meaningful changes. Advocates have placed their hopes on the Kids Online Safety Act, legislation designed to protect children from the harmful effects of social media, gaming sites, and other online platforms. Though the bill won Senate approval earlier this year, it remains stalled in the legislative process.

Meanwhile, countries around the world are taking more decisive action with a variety of approaches to restrict children’s online activities and protect them from potential harms.

Australia has emerged as a pioneer in this space, becoming the first nation to ban children under 16 from social media entirely. The 2024 law makes platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X, and Instagram liable for fines up to 50 million Australian dollars ($34 million) if they fail to prevent underage users from holding accounts.

While many parents have welcomed Australia’s approach, some experts have raised concerns about the effectiveness of age verification methods and potential impacts on young people’s free speech, social connections, and privacy. Critics also worry that proving age might compromise privacy for all users, not just minors.

Brazil has taken a different approach with legislation that took effect this month. The new law requires children under 16 to link their social media accounts to a legal guardian to ensure supervision. It also prohibits platforms from using potentially addictive features such as infinite scroll and automatic video play. Additionally, digital services must implement effective age verification mechanisms beyond simple self-declaration.

Following Australia’s lead, Indonesia plans to ban social media for children under 16 beginning this month. The regulation will prevent children from having accounts on “high-risk” platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox. Implementation will roll out gradually starting March 28 until all platforms comply, making Indonesia the first Southeast Asian country to restrict children’s access to social media.

Malaysia has also tightened regulations, requiring major social media and messaging platforms with at least 8 million users to obtain a license since January 2025. Licensed platforms must implement age verification, content safety measures, and transparency rules. The country also plans to ban children under 16 from social media this year.

European nations are following suit. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced in February that the country plans to limit social media access for children under 16 to shield young people from harmful online content. France has approved legislation banning social media for children under 15, set to take effect at the start of the next school year in September. The bill would also ban mobile phone use in high schools, building on previous legislation prohibiting phones in primary and middle schools.

Denmark has introduced similar legislation to ban social media access for users under 15, while the United Kingdom recently announced it would consider banning young teenagers from social media platforms as part of broader efforts to protect children from harmful content and excessive screen time.

As these international regulations take shape, the U.S. continues to rely primarily on litigation rather than legislation to address the growing concerns about social media’s impact on young users’ mental health and safety.