40 countries say enough: A tsunami of laws threatens to restrict children's access to TikTok and Instagram
Governments worldwide are shifting away from relying on tech giants' self-regulation toward strict legislation to curb children's access to social media, citing addictive algorithms and rising depression rates. While some nations implement total bans, others argue that the burden of responsibility must lie with the platforms themselves rather than the users.
More than 20 countries around the world have already banned or are in the process of legislating to restrict the use of social networks by children due to concerns over risks they are unaware of at a young age. About 20 other countries are currently considering similar measures.
Until recently, age of entry into social networks was regulated mainly by the companies themselves—TikTok, Facebook, and Snapchat set a minimum age threshold of 13, with almost no real enforcement. Now, governments are enacting mandatory laws that place the responsibility on the platforms to block minors, backed by heavy fines and requirements to develop robust age verification mechanisms.
Product engineering designed to maximize screen time
According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in the USA at the end of 2024, nearly half of teenagers (aged 13–17) reported being connected to the internet "almost constantly"—a sharp increase from 24% a decade ago. Almost all teenagers (96%) report daily internet use.
This is not accidental, but the result of product engineering designed to maximize screen time. Features like infinite scrolling, likes, and notifications create a reward mechanism similar to slot machines. Algorithms stream emotionally stimulating content to sell more ads, triggering a fear of missing out among adolescents.
Experts warn this leads to addiction-like patterns, sleep deprivation, withdrawal from face-to-face relationships, and increased rates of depression and anxiety. In extreme cases, algorithms provide access to content encouraging self-harm and dangerous "online challenges."
"A legal ban does not bring the desired results"
Not all experts view legal restrictions as an effective solution. Canadian MP Michelle Rempel Garner notes: "Australia's experience shows that the law is effective in theory much more than in practice. A blanket ban might push children into darker, more dangerous corners of the internet where there is no supervision." She argues that the legal duty of care should be placed on the companies, not the children.
Karin Prien, Germany's Federal Minister for Family Affairs, agrees: "Protecting children online should be seen as a shared social responsibility, where the technology industry plays a decisive role in enforcement."
