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 aged 15 or 16. While the approaches differ, the direction is increasingly clear: stricter controls, stronger age verification, and greater responsibility placed on technology companies.
According to Philippines News Agency, Greece is among the latest to act. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that minors under 15 will be banned from social media starting in January 2027, citing scientific evidence of anxiety, sleep disruption, and addictive platform design. He has also advocated for a European-wide system to verify users' ages, arguing that national rules alone may not be sufficient in a borderless digital environment.
France is pushing ahead with similar measures, but on a shorter timeline. Lawmakers have already backed plans to ban social media for under-15s, although details are still being negotiated between the two houses of parliament. President Emmanuel Macron has expressed a desire to have the restrictions in place by the start of the next school year in September, alongside tighter limits on smartphone use in schools.
In Spain, the government has proposed an even higher threshold. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called for a ban on those under 16, describing today's online environment as a 'digital Wild West.' The proposals include stricter obligations on platforms to verify users' ages, as well as new legislation targeting the spread of non-consensual AI-generated content.
Elsewhere, Austria plans to prevent children under 14 from opening social media accounts, while Portugal has introduced rules requiring parental consent for users under 16. Denmark and Slovenia are considering similar restrictions. New initiatives are also emerging in Ireland, where the government is preparing to introduce an age limit as part of its forthcoming Digital and Artificial Intelligence Strategy.
Poland is taking a related, though distinct, approach, with authorities announcing a ban on cellphone use in schools for students under 16. Education Minister Barbara Nowacka stated that the measure is part of a broader legislative reform essential for the education system.
Germany and Italy have so far taken a more cautious approach, requiring parental permission for younger users, but discussions are ongoing about whether tougher rules are needed. In Germany, a government-backed commission is expected to publish proposals later this year. The UK is conducting a pilot scheme involving around 300 teenagers to explore the effects of limits such as daily screen time caps and app restrictions on well-being.
At a European level, there are also signs of coordination. The European Parliament has called for a minimum age of 16 for independent access to social media, while allowing younger teenagers to use platforms with parental consent. It has raised concerns about features such as infinite scrolling, which critics say encourage excessive use.
Globally, Australia introduced what is seen as the world's first nationwide ban on social media for under-16s last December. The law mandates platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat to prevent minors from creating or maintaining accounts, with significant fines for non-compliance. The Australian model places responsibility on tech firms, leading to millions of underage accounts being removed, although enforcing this policy remains challenging.
