International Efforts on Social Media Restrictions for Minors Parallel U.S. Legislative Debates

By Washington Examiner Staff

*Published: 2026-05-03*

Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis appeared on TikTok in early 2026 to discuss proposed restrictions on social media access for individuals under 15. He cited the "addictive design of some apps" and other risks as factors that could affect young users' well-being.

A 2025 national survey by C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital identified parents' top concerns for children's health, with 75% expressing worry about social media use, 75% about screen time, and 66% about internet safety.

Reports and legal actions have highlighted potential risks to minors on digital platforms, including algorithmic recommendations, online predators, and viral challenges that have led to injuries or deaths in some cases.

Recent court rulings have addressed allegations against major platforms. In October 2025, a New Mexico jury found Meta liable for enabling child sexual exploitation on its platforms, awarding damages to affected families. A federal judge in Massachusetts ruled in late 2025 that Meta must face trial in a lawsuit by the state attorney general, which alleges the company designed Instagram to be addictive for children. Additional lawsuits against Meta and YouTube are ongoing, with claims that the platforms prioritized engagement over youth safety.

Several countries have advanced or enacted measures to limit minors' social media access. Greece, Indonesia, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Austria, and Denmark are considering legislation targeting children and teenagers. In December 2025, Australia implemented a ban on social media for those under 16, leading platforms including Meta and Snap to deactivate more than 4.7 million minor accounts shortly after. Greece's prime minister has urged the European Union to tackle online risks to youth, and the EU is preparing an age verification tool for platforms.

Australia's enforcement, however, has faced challenges. A survey by the eSafety Commissioner in April 2026 indicated that over 60% of 12- to 15-year-olds still accessed at least one social media platform, prompting investigations into platform compliance.

In the United States, early social media platforms like Facebook and MySpace launched in the mid-2000s targeting college students and adults, before expanding to younger users.

Federal child safety legislation has progressed unevenly. Tech companies including Meta, TikTok, X, Snap, and Discord spent a combined $30 million on lobbying in 2023, according to public disclosures. Author Donna Rice Hughes, president of Enough Is Enough—an advocacy group focused on internet safety—reported spotting Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in Congress the day after a legal verdict against the company, though the timing and purpose remain unconfirmed.

The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which proposes a "duty of care" for platforms to address harms to minors and provide parental tools, has garnered bipartisan support in the Senate. The Senate Judiciary and Commerce Committees advanced versions unanimously in recent sessions. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has been urged to schedule a floor vote. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) stated that a weakened House version of KOSA would not pass the Senate.

KOSA has also drawn opposition. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and more than 100 organizations argue that its requirements could lead platforms to restrict protected speech, including resources on LGBTQ+ issues, under broad harm-prevention mandates. These concerns contributed to delays in the House, where earlier bills were amended amid lobbying.

State governments have pursued their own restrictions on online harms, particularly involving artificial intelligence and chatbots. Federal proposals to preempt state AI regulations have advanced despite opposition from survivor families, child safety advocates, and some tech specialists. Blackburn's proposed Trump America AI Act seeks to safeguard children, creators, conservatives, and communities from exploitation, abuse, and censorship, aligning with an executive order from President Donald Trump.

A 2025 bipartisan federal law, the Take It Down Act, requires platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate images. It was recently cited in the conviction of a man for sharing such material.

Advocates compare the accountability push against social media firms to past regulatory efforts against the tobacco industry, citing addictive design elements. In 1994, congressional hearings examined tobacco companies' practices, leading to reforms. Proponents argue that fines, verdicts, and public scrutiny alone may not suffice to shift platforms toward prioritizing safety.

Enough Is Enough, under Rice Hughes' leadership, developed the Internet Safety 101 program in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice. Rice Hughes, an internet safety expert, author, and host of the podcast *Internet Safety with Donna Rice Hughes*, has advocated for stronger platform obligations.

During National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April 2026, discussions emphasized the need for measures to mitigate online risks to minors. Supporters of regulation point to international examples, while critics highlight enforcement difficulties and free speech implications. Lawmakers continue to weigh these factors as bills advance.

Global and U.S. efforts reflect ongoing debates over balancing youth protection with innovation and expression. Platforms have responded to some laws by implementing age checks and account removals, though compliance varies. Further trials and legislative votes are expected to shape outcomes.

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