European countries are actively working to introduce bans on social media for children. In particular, France is set to vote on Tuesday to prohibit access to social networks for individuals under 15 years of age. France is among 20 countries worldwide that have proposed or implemented such measures, with many located in Europe. According to AFP, restrictions are already in place in five of these countries.
Within the European Union, which comprises 27 countries, the European Commission plans to propose measures later this year for a complete ban on social media for individuals under 13 years of age, along with progressive access for those aged 13 to 18 years.
Plans and announced restrictions
Within the bloc, the government of Greece announced in early April its intention to ban access to social networks for individuals under 15 years of age starting January 1, 2027. Austria and Slovenia are also preparing legislation to restrict access for those under 14 and 15 years of age, respectively. In Germany, where Chancellor Friedrich Merz supports restrictions or even a ban on social media for children, an expert commission has proposed two options: an age-differentiated ban or platform-specific restrictions.
A similar discussion is occurring in Sweden, where a government commission has proposed banning social media for individuals under 15 years of age by the beginning of 2028. In Denmark, the government announced in October 2025 that it would propose banning “several social media platforms” for individuals under 15 years of age. The government of Ireland has indicated it is considering legislation in the absence of an EU decision.
Outside the EU, the government of Norway plans to present a bill to ban access for individuals under 16 years of age by the end of the year. Great Britain aims to prohibit social media for individuals under 16 years of age by the beginning of 2027 under a measure proposed by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Canada also seeks to establish a minimum age of 16 years for social media use. Several states in India are considering restrictions for children, and the government has stated it is in discussions with platforms regarding potential measures.
Legislative initiatives in parliaments
The proposal to ban social media for children under 15 years of age is scheduled for a vote in the French parliament on Tuesday, following a compromise agreement reached by deputies and senators. The lower house approved the bill in its first reading in January, but the Senate later amended it to apply only to the most harmful platforms, raising concerns in Brussels. The government hopes the law will take effect in September. Minister of Digital Technologies Anne Le Hénanff stated that this would make France the first country in Europe to establish a “digital legal age”.
Portugal is considering a bill that would set the age for independent access to platforms, services, games, and applications at 16 years. Spain has proposed raising the minimum age for registration on social media platforms from 14 to 16 years. In Italy, the parliament is reviewing legislation that would ban social media use for children under 15 years of age.
Source: The Local Europe
