European Nations Grapple with Social Media Bans for Children

In response to growing concerns over the mental health, safety, and development of young people online, several European countries are actively considering or have already proposed legislation to restrict children’s access to social media. This wave of regulatory scrutiny follows Australia’s landmark move in December 2024 to ban users under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts on major platforms, with penalties for violations reaching up to 50 million Australian dollars (€28 million).

While approaches vary, the common goal across Europe is to create a safer digital environment for minors. Below is a detailed look at the measures—both proposed and implemented—across the continent.

Denmark

In November 2024, the Danish government announced a cross-party agreement to ban access to certain social media platforms for children under 15. The policy aims to shield young people from harmful content and features that disrupt sleep, concentration, and mental well-being. Under the proposal, parents could grant access once a child turns 13. Minister for Digital Affairs Caroline Stage indicated that legislation could take months to finalize. Denmark plans to leverage its national electronic ID system and a dedicated age-verification app for enforcement, alongside allocating 160 million kroner (€21.4 million) to 14 child online safety initiatives.

France

Digital Affairs Minister Anne Le Hénanff has confirmed that France intends to introduce a bill in early 2026 to restrict social media access for under-15s. This follows a September parliamentary report that recommended an outright ban for children under 15 and a digital curfew for those under 18. The push gained momentum after seven French families sued TikTok in 2024, alleging the platform exposed their children to suicide-promoting content. President Emmanuel Macron has urged platforms to strengthen age verification, warning that France will act independently if the EU does not implement bloc-wide rules. Currently, French children under 15 already require explicit parental consent to open social media accounts.

Spain

Spanish legislators are reviewing a draft law that would prohibit children under 16 from accessing social networks, forums, and generative AI spaces without parental consent. In unspecified “other cases,” the minimum age would be 14. The bill also seeks to empower parents to review and approve app downloads via app stores. A YouGov poll found 79% of Spanish parents support an Australian-style ban, though a third expressed concerns about enforcement challenges.

Italy

In May 2024, Italy’s parliament introduced a bill to restrict social media access for users under 15 and regulate underage “kidfluencers.” The proposal ties age verification to the EU’s upcoming digital identity wallet system. Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara has voiced support for the Australian model. Additionally, a class-action lawsuit filed by Italian families against TikTok, Meta, and Instagram seeks to compel stricter age verification for the estimated 3.5 million Italian children aged 7–14 using social media illegally. The case is scheduled for hearing in February 2025.

Greece

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told the UN General Assembly in September 2024 that Greece is considering an Australian-style ban, citing the “largest uncontrolled experiment ever on the minds of our children.” Greece has already banned smartphones in classrooms—a move Mitsotakis says has been transformative. The government also promotes parental control tools and plans to use its “Kids Wallet” app, which allows parents to restrict app access, as an official age-verification mechanism.

Germany

While Germany has not yet implemented restrictions, the government confirmed in November 2024 that a committee is studying the feasibility of a social media ban for minors, with a final report due in autumn 2026. Unlike some other countries, Germany is considering a blanket ban for all underage users, without parental consent exemptions. A public petition calling for a minimum age of 16 has garnered over 34,000 signatures and is under official review. If adopted, the ban would prevent account creation but would still allow logged-out access to platforms.

Key Challenges and Considerations

Across Europe, policymakers face shared hurdles:

• Enforcement: Effective age verification remains technically and privacy-sensitive.

• EU Coordination: Some nations, like France, prefer EU-wide rules but are prepared to act unilaterally.

• Parental Role: Laws must balance protection with parental rights and digital literacy.

• Industry Compliance: Platforms may need to redesign access models and verification systems.

Conclusion

The trend toward stricter social media regulation for children reflects a profound shift in how governments perceive digital risks to youth. While Australia’s ban has spurred European debate, each country is tailoring its approach to legal, cultural, and technological contexts. As these proposals advance, their success will likely hinge on robust age-verification mechanisms and cross-border cooperation within the EU.

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