European Nations Intensify Efforts to Ban Social Media Access for Minors Amid Digital Safety Concerns
According to the Economic Desk of Webangah News Agency, a growing coalition of European nations is actively pursuing legislation to shield minors from the detrimental effects of social media platforms. This legislative surge follows France’s recent vote by lawmakers to ban social media access for children under 15, and an immediate commitment from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to protect Spanish children from the “digital wild west.”
Experts warn that prolonged exposure to vast amounts of harmful content is impacting the developing brains of young users, contributing to increased anxiety and other health hazards. Paul Ritcher, an associate fellow at the Bruegel think tank based in Brussels, told Deutsche Welle that the heightened focus on minors is due to the elevated risk of long-term harm, given that children are still cognitively developing. He noted that substantial research confirms a strong correlation between social media usage and mental health complications.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has also voiced support for implementing Union-wide age restrictions, drawing parallels with Australia’s new law that sets a minimum age of 16 for social media use. However, questions remain regarding the practical feasibility of enforcing such broad prohibitions across the bloc.
National Legislative Movements Across Europe
In France, a bill proposing an outright ban for those under 15 is now moving toward a vote in the French Senate. Simultaneously, Spain’s Council of Ministers is expected to approve a ban on access for individuals under 16, inserting this provision into a draft bill currently before the Spanish Parliament.
Several other European countries are also considering bans targeting children under 15 or 16. Denmark, following a multi-party agreement in late 2025 to establish a better framework for digital life and protect children from online abuse, stated that access to certain social networking platforms should be prohibited, though no specific law has yet been enacted.
Italy has introduced legislation in its parliament that includes restrictions on social media, specifically targeting child influencers under the age of 15. Furthermore, a senior official speaking to Reuters indicated that Greece is “very close” to implementing a similar ban. Portugal recently proposed legislation requiring parental consent for children under 16 to access social media content, while Austria is also reviewing bans, and the United Kingdom has initiated a consultation process on the matter.
Earlier, in November of the previous year, Members of the European Parliament recommended a comprehensive ban across the EU for those under 16, while also suggesting that individuals aged 13 to 16 could access platforms with verified parental consent.
The Role of a Unified Digital ID
A key concept being discussed for effective age verification across the EU is the implementation of a single digital identification system. Ritcher explained that a European Union digital ID is viewed as a tool to confirm a user’s age without compromising personal data. This would allow individuals to digitally verify they meet a specific age threshold without sharing precise information like date of birth, name, or address, thereby simplifying the enforcement of digital age limits.
EU Authority to Mandate Systemic Platform Changes
While championing the digital age, the European Union has cautioned member states against undermining the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates that technology companies mitigate risks associated with algorithms and their impact on minors. Thomas Regnier, a spokesperson for the Commission’s technology division, stated that the DSA and the European Commission are the sole bodies capable of imposing additional obligations on Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs).
Ritcher suggested that member states have become frustrated, believing the EU cannot effectively impose its regulations on foreign technology companies, predominantly those based in the United States.
Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform ‘X’, labeled Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez a “tyrant and traitor to the Spanish people” following the announcement of proposed bans for minors. Musk has repeatedly attempted to frame European regulations aimed at creating safer online spaces as maneuvers intended to stifle online free expression.
A French expert suggested it is time for EU countries to “collectively invest in European alternatives” to non-European social media platforms, arguing, “We are hostages to the big American companies. Either they exist, or there is no digital life.” This idea, discussed among experts and reported by Deutsche Welle, is based on the hope that a European-centric platform would better align with EU regulations and values.
