Social media platforms are facing increasing pressure from governments around the world to restrict or ban minors’ access to their services. In recent months, several countries have introduced laws aimed at protecting children’s mental health and safety online, with some platforms already feeling the heat.
Australia was the first country to introduce a law restricting social media use among those under 16. The UK has since followed suit, announcing plans to ban social media for users aged 16 and under. Several states in the US have also taken matters into their own hands, introducing laws to curb social media use among minors. Platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube are all affected by these bans.
The reasoning behind these laws is clear: supporters argue that social media poses significant mental health risks, including addiction and anxiety, particularly for young people. In 2023, the US Department of Health and Human Services warned that minors who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of mental health problems.
However, implementing these bans is proving to be a complex challenge. As Joe Kaufmann, global head of privacy and data protection officer at Jumio, points out, companies will struggle to find a balance between creating a positive user experience for those who should be on their platforms while addressing the legal requirements. One major issue is identifying minors without disrupting the user base.
“We’ve seen various examples in the market where this hasn’t gone well,” Kaufmann explains. “And then we’ve seen on the Australia side, they’re doubling fines for companies that don’t comply.” To comply with these laws, companies are turning to age verification methods, such as facial age estimation technology, which has raised concerns about accuracy and bias.
But even when companies attempt to implement age restrictions, users can find ways to bypass them. As Kaufmann notes, “kids today are resourceful and technically savvy” and will often find ways to circumvent controls. This raises questions about the effectiveness of these bans in protecting minors online.
The stakes are high for companies that fail to comply with these laws. In Australia, the maximum penalty for breaches of the Social Media Minimum Age (SMMA) law has been doubled to $99 million. Companies must navigate a complex landscape of user retention and satisfaction while complying with these new regulations.
As governments continue to introduce stricter regulations on social media use among minors, companies will need to adapt quickly to avoid hefty fines and reputational damage. But the question remains: can age restrictions really protect children online?
Source: Dark Reading — 2026-07-10