A growing number of European countries are considering or implementing restrictions on social media use for minors, as governments grapple with the mental health and well-being implications of online platforms for children and teenagers. From Greece to France, authorities are drafting legislation that would limit access for users under the ages of 14 to 16, reflecting mounting concern over anxiety, sleep disruption, and addictive design features of popular apps.
While each country’s approach varies, a common direction is emerging across the continent: stricter controls, stronger age verification measures, and increased responsibility placed on technology companies to monitor and enforce compliance. The push comes as policymakers seek to balance digital engagement with safety and developmental needs for young people.
Greece is one of the latest countries to take decisive action. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that minors under 15 will be banned from using social media starting January 2027. He cited scientific research linking social media use to heightened anxiety, disrupted sleep patterns, and the addictive design of platforms that can make young users more vulnerable.
In addition to national restrictions, Mitsotakis called for a European-wide age verification system, arguing that national rules alone may not be sufficient in a borderless digital environment where users can easily bypass country-specific regulations.
France is pursuing similar measures but with a shorter timeline. Lawmakers have already approved plans to ban social media use for under-15s, although details are still being negotiated between the two houses of parliament. President Emmanuel Macron has stated that he wants 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 a higher age threshold. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is advocating a ban on social media for those under 16, describing the current online environment as a “digital Wild West” where young users are exposed to significant risks. 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.
Other European countries are also moving in similar directions. Austria has announced plans to prevent children under 14 from opening social media accounts, while Portugal already requires parental consent for users under 16. Ireland is preparing to introduce an age limit as part of its forthcoming Digital and Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which is currently under cabinet review. The proposal is expected to include draft legislation restricting social media use for children under 16, with a strong focus on online safety.
Poland has taken a related but distinct approach by targeting device use in schools. Authorities have announced a ban on cellphone use for students under 16, set to take effect on September 1. Education Minister Barbara Nowacka described the move as part of broader reforms aimed at improving the education system and reducing excessive screen time among young people.
Germany and Italy have so far adopted a more cautious stance. Both countries currently require parental permission for younger users, but discussions are ongoing about whether stricter rules are necessary. In Germany, a government-backed commission is expected to present recommendations later this year.
In the United Kingdom, officials are testing potential solutions through a pilot scheme involving around 300 teenagers. The program is examining how measures such as daily screen time limits, app restrictions, and night-time curfews affect young people’s well-being. The findings are expected to guide future policy decisions.
At the European level, there are increasing signs of coordination among policymakers. 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. Lawmakers have also raised concerns about features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay, which critics argue encourage excessive use and contribute to addictive behaviour.
The movement across Europe follows developments in Australia, where a nationwide ban on social media use for under-16s was introduced last December. The law requires platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat to prevent minors from creating or maintaining accounts, with companies facing significant fines if they fail to comply. Early reports suggest that millions of accounts linked to underage users have been removed, although enforcement has proven challenging.
One of the biggest hurdles facing governments and technology companies is the issue of age verification. Ensuring that users are accurately identified without collecting sensitive personal data remains a complex technical challenge. There are also concerns that determined young users may find ways to bypass restrictions using false information or alternative accounts.
The growing push for regulation is driven by increasing evidence of the negative effects of social media on young people. Studies have linked excessive use to anxiety, depression, poor sleep quality, and reduced overall well-being. As a result, many governments are now treating online safety as a public health concern, rather than simply a matter of personal responsibility.
As more countries introduce or consider restrictions, the debate over how best to protect minors online is expected to intensify. While stricter regulations may help limit exposure to harmful content and reduce screen time, experts argue that they must be combined with education, parental involvement, and responsible platform design to be fully effective.
With coordinated efforts emerging across Europe, social media regulation for minors could soon become a standard policy framework, reshaping how young people interact with digital platforms and redefining the responsibilities of technology companies in the years ahead.
