U.K. and Canada move to bar under-16s from TikTok-style platforms as Australia’s ban enters sixth month

The U.K., Canada, Australia and several EU countries are advancing social media restrictions aimed at minors aged 14–16, with Australia’s law in force for six months. In the EU, regulators have opened a formal investigation under the Digital Services Act (DSA) into Meta over allegations it has not adequately protected children from cyberbullying and grooming. Meta is explicitly named and could face fines of up to 6% of its total global annual turnover, marking a material escalation in regulatory pressure.