A proposed social media ban for children is gaining momentum across Europe as an expert committee prepares to submit its recommendations to the European Commission. The committee will present its proposals on Monday to regulate how minors access digital applications across the 27 European Union member states, according to a report by Asharq Al-Awsat.
European Committee Proposes social media ban
The European Union is evaluating a coordinated approach to restrict digital access for younger demographics. The proposed **social media ban** could reshape digital policies not only in Europe but also influence regulatory frameworks globally, including the GCC region. This initiative follows similar measures either proposed or enacted in more than 20 countries worldwide, reflecting a growing international consensus on child online safety.
Currently, five countries have already implemented active restrictions on these platforms. In Australia, a ban on social media for children under the age of 16 has been in effect since December 2025. Meanwhile, Brazil enacted a law in March requiring platforms to verify user ages and link accounts of users under 16 to their parents’ profiles.
Active Restrictions Across Global Markets
China has gradually restricted access for minors since 2019, initially targeting online gaming before expanding the rules in 2023 to cover social media and live streaming. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia has prohibited social media use for children under 16 since March, and Malaysia passed similar legislation in June. Turkey also approved a law in April to restrict access for minors under 15, with enforcement expected by late 2026.
In the Gulf region, the United Arab Emirates announced a ban on social media for children under 15 last month, with implementation scheduled to begin in approximately one year. These regional developments indicate that the momentum for restricting youth access is expanding beyond Western markets into the Middle East.
European Nations Prepare Individual Laws
Several European countries are moving forward with independent legislative plans. Greece intends to restrict social media access for children under 15 starting January 1, 2027. Austria and Slovenia are preparing laws targeting children under 14 and 15, respectively. In Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz supports restrictions, and an expert committee has proposed either age-graded bans or platform-specific limitations.
Sweden is considering a ban for children under 15 by early 2028, while Denmark proposed restricting several platforms for under-15s in October 2025. Ireland has stated it will pursue national legislation if the European Union does not establish a unified policy. Outside the EU, Norway plans to present a bill by the end of the year for an under-15 restriction, and the United Kingdom aims to implement a ban for under-16s by early 2027.
Global Policy Shifts and Future Outlook
In North America, Canada plans to establish a minimum age of 16 for platform access. In India, several state governments are studying potential restrictions, while the central government is holding discussions with major technology firms. These coordinated efforts demonstrate a significant shift in how governments manage the intersection of youth and digital technology.
As discussions progress, the implementation of a **social media ban** remains a complex regulatory challenge. In France, the parliament is debating a bill for an under-15 restriction, which was passed by the National Assembly in January but later amended by the Senate to target only the most harmful platforms. Portugal is studying a bill to set the age of independent access at 16, Spain proposes raising the registration age from 14 to 16, and Italy is reviewing a bill to restrict access for those under 15.
