Social media age limits take effect — and platforms are scrambling

New national legislation requiring social media platforms to verify the age of their users and bar those under 16 from holding accounts has officially come into force, marking one of the most aggressive regulatory interventions of its kind anywhere in the world.

Major platforms have rolled out a mix of facial age estimation, ID verification, and parental consent systems, though early reports suggest that compliance is uneven and workarounds are already circulating.

Parents' groups have largely welcomed the move, citing growing evidence linking heavy social media use to mental health concerns among teenagers, while civil liberties advocates have raised concerns about privacy and exclusion.

Other countries are reportedly watching the rollout closely, with several considering similar legislation should the early results prove positive.