SUMMARY
- Many American states and foreign countries have moved to age-gate online services, or ban under-16s accessing social media.
- Most of the proposals have come from countries in Europe, where regulators usually have a more active role in regulating technology. They coincide with the German Chancellor’s call to end online anonymity for political speech.
- Although many government bodies refer to the policies as age verification, the act of verification requires biometric scanning or the uploading of identity documents — effectively a form of Digital ID.
- Free speech groups have said that age verification sacrifices one’s age and puts sensitive data at risk, and even make it easier to track dissenting voices.
A massive global push is underway to implement mandatory face-scanning or identity document scanning as a precondition for accessing the internet. Supporters of the restrictions argue that verifying a person’s age is a necessary safeguard to protect children from harmful online content and addictive platform features.
But in practice, many of the proposals go beyond simple self-attestation, requiring users to submit government-issued identification or biometric data to prove their age. In several jurisdictions, officials have openly suggested linking social media access to emerging digital ID systems, embedding identity checks deeper into the architecture of the internet.
Free speech and civil liberties advocates warn that such measures effectively condition online participation on proof of identity. They argue that once age verification is tied to digital ID infrastructure, anonymity becomes far harder to preserve, and sensitive personal data becomes a target for leaks, misuse, or government access. Critics contend that what is framed as a child-safety measure could ultimately expand surveillance capabilities and make it easier to monitor and track lawful speech.
Countries that have restricted access to social media for children include:
- Australia passed a law that restricts access to those under 16 years old. Australian youth are banned from large social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
- Greece is implementing a law that would bar access to those under 15 years old
- France passed a law barring access to those under 15 years old
- The Dutch government in 2025 advised parents not to allow their children under 15 to use social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram
- Sweden issued similar recommendations about limiting screen time for children last year
- Spain is working on legislation that would bar access to those under 16 old
- Portugal passed a law to bar access for those under 16 years old
- Norway is working on a proposal to bar those under 15 years old
- Malaysia passed a law that would bar access under 16 years old
- United Kingdom is discussing a proposal that would bar access to those under 16 years old. Xbox’s mandatory age verification in the UK blew up after it locked out thousands of players from playing games.
- Denmark is working on legislation that would bar access to those under 15 years old
- Czechia is working on a proposal that would bar access under 15 years old
- Slovenia is discussing a program that would restrict access to those under 15 years old
- Germany is working on legislation for those under 16 years old. Tim Klüssendorf, Secretary General of the Social Democratic Party, in February said that his party wants to tie age verification to the EU Digital Identity wallet, the bloc’s official government ID scheme
- Italy is discussing a proposal that would bar access to those under 15 years old
- Indonesia is discussing a proposal to bar access under 16 years old
- New Zealand is working on a proposal for those under 16 years old
American states have also moved to restrict access to social media for the states’ youth.
Utah
Utah in 2023 was the first to require age verification for those under 18 years old; however, the legislation was repealed and replaced with fewer onerous requirements.
Colorado
Lawmakers in Colorado have introduced a bill that would require owners of operating systems, including Windows, Apple iOS, Google Android, and even Linux systems, to verify a person’s age at the OS level. The OS would then send signals to every website and online service accessed through the device, with information about the user’s age.
Mississippi
Mississippi passed a law that requires social media companies to verify the age of their users and obtain parental consent for minors. It was challenged by the courts; although, the Supreme Court last August allowed the state to carry out the law.
Virginia
In mid-February, Virginia Attorney Jay Jones, announced that his office will require social media platforms to limit minors’ usage to only hour per day unless a parent or guardian chooses to increase the limit.
If companies violate the Virginia law after 30 days of noncompliance, Jones will file enforcement actions, which could result in up to $7,500 in civil penalties for each violation.
Nebraska
Nebraska passed legislation that would restrict certain platform features for minors, including elements such as infinite scrolling and autoplay that are intended to increase engagement.
Florida
Florida signed a law in 2024 that children under the age of 14 years old cannot have a social media account. Those aged 14 to 15 can have an account if they have parental consent.
California
California’s model goes beyond requiring social media companies to prove age; California’s Assembly Bill No. 1043 will require operating systems to have a digital ID via age verification into the computer’s account setup procedures.
Age Verification Leaks, Anonymity, and Security Concerns
Chat platforms such as Discord have launched age verification; however, they were soon scuttled after user outcry. Discord initially planned to roll out global digital IDs by defaulting users into a version created for those under 16 years old until the user’s age was verified.
A leak from a third-party verification partner with Discord led to 70,000 users’ government IDs to be exposed.
Apple is now bars app downloads in Australia, Brazil, and Singapore to be able to download apps rated 18+ unless the user can verify he or she is an adult.
Broader mistrust of age and ID verification has grown over the years amidst concerns of online surveillance and leaks from companies such as Persona, which had left thousands of files exposed to the internet.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expressions (FIRE) wrote, “Age verification is identity verification, plain and simple.”
“By announcing that it won’t enforce the prohibition against collecting children’s personal data online when it is done for age verification purposes, the government admits what we’ve been saying all along: Age-gating the internet means forcing you to hand over your ID, sacrifice your anonymity, and put your sensitive data at risk.
We’re routinely told to be worried about data collection — and for good reason. Data leaks are rampant and the privacy of information, once collected, cannot be guaranteed. Not by platforms. Not by the government.”
“Recent government fishing expeditions into the online data of its critics put the danger of making it easier to track down dissenting voices in stark relief. This “papers, please” approach to going online is fundamentally at odds with the free speech rights, privacy, and security of all Americans,” the group added.
