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The Global Wave of Child Protection Laws in 2026: What Parents Need to Know

— Agiliton — 8 min read

Governments around the world are taking unprecedented action to protect children online. In 2026, a wave of new legislation is reshaping how technology companies must treat young users — and what parents can expect from the platforms their children use every day.

Here is what you need to know about the most important child protection laws taking effect this year.

9
Enforced
5
Passed
5
In Progress
2
Guidelines

Child Protection Laws by Country

CountryLawMin. AgeStatusYear
🇦🇺 AustraliaSocial Media Minimum Age Act 202416+Enforced2024
🇬🇧 United KingdomOnline Safety Act 202313+Enforced2023
🇩🇪 GermanyJugendschutzgesetz (JuSchG)13+Guidelines2021
🇨🇳 ChinaMinor Protection Law + PIPL14+Enforced2021
🇰🇷 South KoreaYouth Protection Act14+Enforced2020
🇮🇪 IrelandOnline Safety and Media Regulation Act13+Enforced2022
🇳🇱 NetherlandsGDPR (UAVG) + DSA16+Enforced2024
🇸🇪 SwedenGDPR + DSA13+Enforced2024
🇬🇷 GreeceSocial Media Ban for Minors (proposed)15+In Progress2026
🇮🇩 IndonesiaSocial Media Age Restriction16+Enforced2026
🇨🇾 CyprusSocial Media Ban for Under-15s15+Passed2026
🇫🇷 FranceLoi SREN + Social Media Ban15+Passed2026
🇧🇷 BrazilECA Digital (Law 15,211/2025)12+Enforced2025
🇮🇳 IndiaDPDP Act 202318+Passed2023
🇮🇹 ItalyDSA + Parental Consent Law14+Passed2025
🇪🇸 SpainOrganic Law for Protection of Minors in Digital Environments (draft)14+In Progress2025
🇳🇴 NorwaySocial Media Age Limit (proposed)15+In Progress2025
🇺🇸 United StatesKOSA + COPPA Update13+In Progress2026
🇨🇦 CanadaOnline Harms Act (reformulation)13+In Progress2026
🇯🇵 JapanChild Welfare Act + Industry Guidelines13+Guidelines2024
🇹🇷 TurkeySocial Media Restriction for Under-15s15+Passed2026

Interactive Map: Child Protection Laws

Click a country for details

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