(MENAFN) Following Australia’s move to ban children under 16 from social media platforms, several other countries are considering similar measures to limit young people’s access without parental consent, according to reports. Italy, Spain, certain U.S. states, and South Korea are reportedly working on legislation targeting platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube.

A survey conducted by Ipsos, titled Education Monitor 2025, found that 71% of respondents globally support prohibiting children under 14 from using social media. Support was particularly high in Indonesia (87%), France (85%), Spain (84%), Colombia (82%), and Italy (80%). In Türkiye, 76% of participants backed the ban, placing the country 11th in global rankings.

The survey also examined attitudes toward smartphone use in schools. Overall, 55% of respondents worldwide supported school bans, with France leading at 80%, followed by Ireland (70%), Spain (69%), Italy (67%), and Peru (65%). In Türkiye, 53% favored restricting smartphones in educational settings.

Participants were more divided on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in schools, including AI tools like ChatGPT. About 37% believed AI should be banned for children in classrooms, while 38% opposed such restrictions.

Concerns over the mental health impact of social media use on adolescents are rising. A 2023 report by the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, Social Media and Youth Mental Health, noted that frequent social media engagement may be linked to increased cases of depression and anxiety. “Adolescents, ages 10 to 19, are undergoing a highly sensitive period of brain development,” the report stated, adding that social media use can affect the amygdala, which is critical for emotional learning and behavior, and the prefrontal cortex, important for impulse control, emotional regulation, and social behavior.

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