Social Media Ban Policy
Pumpkin Card follows each country's government rules on children's online social-media access. This reference table lists every country we know about that restricts children's social-media accounts, the minimum age, whether a parent or guardian can consent, and when the rule takes effect.
Last policy update: 27 October 2026
In force now
| Country | Min age | Parental consent | Status | Effective | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 16 | No | In force | 10 December 2025 | Online Safety Act 2021 social-media minimum age. Parental consent cannot override. |
| Brazil | 16 | Yes | In force | 17 March 2026 | ECA Digital (Law 15.211/2025). Under-12 blocked; 12–16 needs guardian link. |
| China | 18 | Yes | In force | 1 January 2024 | Minor Mode / Youth Anti-Addiction System. Real-name ID; time & curfew limits. |
| EU / EEA member states | 16 | Yes | In force | 25 May 2018 | GDPR Article 8 digital consent age (13–16, set per member state). DSA minor-protection duties. |
| Gabon | 16 | Yes | In force | 8 April 2026 | Ordinance regulating social-media platforms. Under-16 with parental consent. |
| India | 18 | Yes | In force | 14 November 2025 | DPDP Act 2023. Verifiable parental consent under 18; Karnataka under-16 restriction. |
| Indonesia | 16 | No | In force | 28 March 2026 | PP Tunas (Government Regulation 17/2025) for high-risk platforms. |
| Malaysia | 16 | No | In force | 1 June 2026 | Online Safety Act 2025. Government age verification expected. |
| United Kingdom | 13 | Yes | In force | 25 July 2025 | Online Safety Act 2023. Under-16 account ban announced for around spring 2027. |
| United States | 13 | Yes | In force | 22 April 2026 | COPPA Rule (under-13). 20+ state laws reach up to 18 with age verification. |
Passed — not yet effective
| Country | Min age | Parental consent | Status | Effective | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greece | 15 | No | Passed (not yet effective) | 1 January 2027 | Under-15 ban; fines from 1 January 2027. |
| Portugal | 16 | Yes | Passed (not yet effective) | TBD | Ages 13–16 need explicit parental consent. Approved February 2026. |
| Turkey | 15 | No | Passed (not yet effective) | TBD (awaiting assent) | Passed parliament April 2026. |
| United Arab Emirates | 15 | No | Passed (not yet effective) | 1 July 2027 | Ages 15–16 get restricted parent-controlled use. |
Proposed / watchlist
| Country | Min age | Parental consent | Status | Effective | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | 14 | No | Proposed / watchlist | TBD | Drafting under-14 ban. |
| Bahrain | 15 | No | Proposed / watchlist | TBD | Draft under-15 ban. |
| Canada | 16 | No | Proposed / watchlist | Bill introduced June 2026 | Digital safety bill; safety-standard exemptions possible. |
| France | 15 | No | Proposed / watchlist | Blocked (re-legislation likely) | Under-15 ban passed July 2026, struck down by Constitutional Council August 2026. |
| Germany | 14 | No | Proposed / watchlist | TBD | Proposed; GDPR Art.8 age of 16 already applies. |
| Kazakhstan | 16 | No | Proposed / watchlist | TBD | Proposed under-16 ban. |
| Lebanon | 14 | No | Proposed / watchlist | TBD | Draft under-14 ban. |
| Mongolia | 16 | No | Proposed / watchlist | TBD | Draft under-16 ban. |
| New Zealand | 16 | No | Proposed / watchlist | Bill introduced 24 August 2026 | Online Safety (Minimum Age) Bill. |
| Norway | 15 | No | Proposed / watchlist | TBD | Proposed under-15 ban. |
| Pakistan | 16 | No | Proposed / watchlist | Withdrawn (under review) | Bill withdrawn, under review. |
| Philippines | 16 | No | Proposed / watchlist | Multiple bills | Several bills under consideration. |
| Poland | 15 | No | Proposed / watchlist | TBD | Proposed under-15 ban. |
| Rwanda | 16 | No | Proposed / watchlist | TBD | Drafting under-16 ban. |
| Slovenia | 15 | No | Proposed / watchlist | TBD | Proposed under-15 ban. |
| Spain | 16 | No | Proposed / watchlist | TBD | Proposed under-16 restriction. |
| Vietnam | 16 | Yes | Proposed / watchlist | Draft decree | Under-16 registered under a parent; no posting, commenting or reacting. |
| Zimbabwe | 18 | Yes | Proposed / watchlist | TBD | Proposed under-18 restriction. |
How we use this
When you create an account, we check the age rule for your country against the date of birth you give us. If your country bans social-media access below a certain age and you are below it, we will not let you sign in or use the platform — even with the correct password. You will see a warning explaining why.
If you are under age, it is your parent or guardian's responsibility to supervise your online activities. Hit Team Limited does not have the obligation or ability to supervise your child's use of the Platform on your behalf. See our Terms & Conditions for the full rules.
This table is a plain-English summary compiled from public reporting as of 27 October 2026. Laws change often and sources disagree. It is provided for general reference and should be confirmed with a lawyer before launch in each market.