Brussels: A growing number of European countries are moving to limit minors’ access to social media amid rising concern over the impact of online platforms on young people’s mental health and well-being. From Greece to France, governments are either drafting or advancing legislation that would restrict access for users under the age of 15 or 16.
According to Anadolu Agency, the approaches differ, but the direction is increasingly clear: stricter controls, stronger age verification, and greater responsibility placed on technology companies. Greece is among the latest to act, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announcing a ban on social media for minors under 15, set to begin in January 2027. He emphasized the link between social media use and issues like anxiety, sleep disruption, and addictive platform design.
France is on a faster track, with lawmakers backing plans to ban social media for under-15s and President Emmanuel Macron aiming for implementation by the next school year in September. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pushes for an even higher threshold, proposing a ban for those under 16 and labeling the current online environment as a ‘digital Wild West.’
In Portugal, rules requiring parental consent for users under 16 are already in place, while Austria plans to prevent children under 14 from opening social media accounts. Ireland is preparing to introduce an age limit as part of its forthcoming Digital and Artificial Intelligence Strategy, with a focus on online safety for users under 16.
Poland has announced a ban on cellphone use in schools for students under 16, set to take effect on September 1. This measure is part of a broader legislative reform aimed at reducing children’s screen time and social media exposure, according to public broadcaster TVP World.
Germany and Italy currently require parental permission for younger users, but ongoing discussions may lead to tougher rules. In Germany, a government-backed commission is expected to publish proposals later this year. The UK is conducting a pilot scheme with around 300 teenagers to evaluate the effects of limits like daily screen time caps and night-time curfews.
At the European level, coordination efforts are evident. The European Parliament has called for a minimum age of 16 for independent access to social media, allowing younger teenagers to use platforms with parental consent. It has also raised concerns about features like infinite scrolling, which critics argue encourage excessive use.
Globally, Australia set a precedent last December by introducing a nationwide ban on social media for under-16s. The law mandates platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat to prevent minors from creating or maintaining accounts, with significant fines for non-compliance. However, verifying age without collecting sensitive data remains a challenge, and there are concerns that young users may circumvent the rules.