More than 25 OECD Member and accession candidate countries now have age restrictions on social media in force, enacted, or under active consideration, up from just one country in 2023. This underlines global momentum to protect and empower children online, which is also evidenced by the 2026 G7 Principles defining a safer and more secure digital space for minors and the G7 Leaders' call on a safer digital space for minors.
Age restrictions are emerging as part of broader regulatory efforts to ensure online safety for children. While these measures share the goal of protecting children online, they may differ in their minimum ages, covered platforms, age assurance requirements and other enforcement mechanisms. Fostering coherent approaches can support platform compliance, facilitate regulatory co-operation, and promote more consistent protection for children online.
This webinar will explore how governments are approaching minimum age thresholds for social media platforms, from those with laws already in force to those considering legislation, drafting bills or undertaking enquiries. It will examine differences in age thresholds, scope and legal design, alongside approaches that prioritise other means for protecting children online.
Participants will consider opportunities to support coherent regulatory approaches, support compliance, and advance children’s safety and empowerment online. The webinar will also provide a space to discuss how governments can co-operate as their approaches develop and design legislative solutions that best serve children’s interests.
