Australia
Australia's under-16 social media ban took effect on 10 December 2025, requiring covered platforms to prevent under-16s from holding accounts. In June 2026 the government moved to double fines amid evidence children were bypassing the ban.
Where is X blocked?
X is blocked, restricted or age-gated in 18 countries and territories — 9 complete bans, 2 partial restrictions and 8 age-verification requirements in total.
Brazil
Brazil's Digital Statute of Children and Adolescents (ECA Digital, Law 15,211/2025) took effect on 17 March 2026. Social media accounts for users under 16 must be linked to a legal guardian, and platforms must use reliable age verification — self-declaration alone is not allowed.
Eritrea
Gabon
Gabon's Ordinance No. 0011/PR/2026 (signed 26 February 2026; published 8 April 2026) sets a digital age of majority of 16 and requires parental consent for under-16 social media access. Platforms must verify users with more than an age or ID check alone — name, address and Personal Identification Number (NIP) — ending online anonymity. Operators have a 12-month transition period, with full compliance expected by February 2027.
Indonesia
Indonesia began deactivating under-16 accounts on designated high-risk platforms from 28 March 2026. The communications ministry named YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox among platforms subject to the under-16 restriction.
Islamic Republic of Iran
Malaysia
Malaysia's under-16 social media ban took effect on 1 June 2026. Platforms must verify users' ages and remove under-16 accounts or face fines of up to RM1 million.
Myanmar
X has been banned since the 2021 military takeover.
North Korea
People's Republic of China
Russia
Since the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, Russia has banned X.
Tanzania
Access to X has been blocked since 20 May 2025, days after the police force's account was hacked to post pornographic material and false claims about the president's death. Information Minister Jerry Silaa confirmed the government ordered the block, citing prohibited content. OONI data shows ISP-level IP blocking on major networks — though not all — and a constitutional challenge filed in January 2026 is pending before the High Court.
Turkmenistan
Türkiye
A Turkish court ordered blocks on content from X's Grok chatbot in July 2025 after it generated posts insulting President Erdogan.
Türkiye
Türkiye's parliament passed a law in April 2026 banning social media services for children under 15 and requiring platforms to implement age-verification systems and parental control tools for older minors. The law takes effect six months after publication in the Official Gazette, with full compliance expected in late 2026. A separate e-government (e-Devlet) real-ID login scheme for all users was still a draft as of April 2026.
Uganda
Twitter/X was re-blocked as connectivity returned after the January 2026 election shutdown. OONI measurements from 18 January 2026 onwards show sustained anomalies consistent with IP blocking on major networks, and the communications regulator has confirmed the social media restrictions.
United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates Cabinet resolution (announced 18 June 2026) bars children under 15 from creating, using or operating personal social media accounts. Platforms must use robust age-verification — including digital identity and AI-supported checks; self-declaration alone is not accepted — with enhanced safeguards for users aged 15 to under 16. Phase one covers X, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok. Platforms have a 12-month transition, with full compliance expected by June 2027.
United Kingdom
Under the United Kingdom Online Safety Act, X has required age assurance (face scan or ID) for adult content since 25 July 2025; unverified United Kingdom users have sensitive media filtered.
Venezuela
In August 2024, President Nicolás Maduro ordered telecom regulator CONATEL to block access to X nationwide following disputed presidential election results.
Data updated:
Sources checked: