Mexico Mulls Australia-Style Social Media Ban for Minors

Mexico is exploring the implementation of an Australia-style restriction on social media access for minors, joining a growing global movement to regulate young users’ online presence. Public Education Secretary Mario Delgado confirmed the government has initiated consultations with civil society groups, including teachers and parents, to develop regulatory proposals by June.

The initiative follows a trend where several nations are tightening age limits on platforms amid concerns over excessive screen time and harmful content. Since December, Australia has prohibited users under 16 from holding accounts on services like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat, imposing heavy fines for non-compliance. France has approved a similar ban for under-15s, while countries including Britain, Spain, and India are evaluating comparable measures.

Delgado emphasized the state’s role in protecting minors, stating, “The state has the responsibility for the guardianship and education of minors. And that’s where we should think about setting certain limits.” He criticized platforms for prioritizing follower counts without adequate filters against content that could impact children’s emotional health, such as violent material, pornography, and cyberbullying.

TikTok, in a response to Agence France-Presse, reiterated its efforts to prevent children from using the platform, noting that users under 13 should not be on social media. Both TikTok and Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, set a minimum age of 13 and employ automatic safety settings for teenage users. However, these measures have faced ongoing criticism regarding enforcement and effectiveness.

Delgado stressed that any ban must originate from community input. “We want them to tell us what these limits should be and how to regulate them,” he said, adding that tech companies will also participate in discussions aimed at fostering a “responsible, critical, and conscious” digital culture rather than outright prohibition.

While supportive of the Australian model—which local officials credit with reducing cyberbullying and improving school concentration—Delgado acknowledged the personal challenge of limiting teen usage. He also clarified that Mexico is not currently considering a blanket ban on mobile devices in public schools, unlike Brazil and Chile, which have implemented restrictions on non-emergency smartphone use during class hours.

The Mexican proposal highlights a broader international shift toward state-led interventions in digital spaces affecting children. The final regulatory framework will depend on the ongoing consultations, with the government aiming to balance protection with practical enforcement. The outcome could influence similar debates across Latin America and beyond.