Keywords: Social media ban


Australia strengthens child social media ban with tougher penalties for tech companies

Australia is moving to strengthen enforcement of its landmark social media restrictions for children by significantly increasing the financial penalties that technology companies could face for failing to comply with the law. The proposed measures reflect growing concerns among policymakers that existing......

United Kingdom rejects US warning over under-16 social media ban

The United Kingdom has rejected a warning from the White House opposing plans to restrict social media access for children under the age of 16. The US administration submitted a response to a British public consultation through its embassy in London, arguing that such measures could limit free expression......

Gabon orders nationwide suspension of social networks over security concerns

Gabon’s High Authority for Communication has ordered the immediate suspension of access to all social media platforms across the country, citing threats to national security and institutional stability. The decision was announced on 17 February 2026 in Libreville following an ordinary plenary session......

Australian advocacy group challenges new social media ban for minors

An Australian digital rights organization has taken legal action against the government’s upcoming ban on social media use for people under 16, arguing that the measure infringes on young citizens’ rights and poses serious risks to online privacy. The case was lodged on Wednesday before the......

Malaysia to ban social media for under-16s following Australia's lead

Malaysia announced plans to prohibit social media use by individuals under the age of 16 starting in 2026, aligning with Australia’s pioneering restrictions that come into effect in December 2025. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil confirmed the Cabinet’s approval of the measure, emphasizing......

Australia expands social media ban for children under 16 to include Reddit and Kick

Australia will ban children under 16 from accessing nine social media platforms starting December 10, 2025, expanding the list to include Reddit and the livestreaming platform Kick, in addition to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, and YouTube, the country’s Online Safety Commissioner......

Nepal’s prime minister resigns after deadly Gen Z protests over social media ban

Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned today following a week of mass protests and riots triggered by the government’s controversial social media ban. The unrest, which escalated into one of Nepal’s worst episodes of civil disorder in decades, saw 19 protesters killed and significant......

Bolsonaro faces potential jail time over defiant public remarks

Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro may face immediate imprisonment after allegedly violating a court order banning him from using social media. The warning was issued Monday by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who accused Bolsonaro of breaching restrictions imposed in the context of......

Australia’s regulator challenges YouTube exemption from teen social media ban

Australia’s online safety regulator has clashed with YouTube over the platform’s possible exemption from an upcoming law that would bar children under 16 from accessing social media. The law, set to take effect in December, would make Australia the first country to impose fines on platforms......