Europe widely considers bills to limit minors’ access to social media

Portugal’s parliament has approved a bill restricting access to social platforms for individuals under 16, Euronews reports.

The bill limits children under 16 from accessing social networks and other platforms, requiring the consent of their parents or legal guardians.

Growing concerns about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health and development are prompting several countries to consider stricter rules for platform access.

Australia was the first country to pass a law restricting social media use for those under 16, requiring platforms to implement effective age-verification mechanisms.

Similar legislative proposals are also multiplying across Europe, though they are at different stages of implementation. Last month, France approved a bill limiting access to social networks for individuals under 15. In November of last year, the Danish government announced a policy agreement to restrict social media access for children under 15, which could become law by mid-2026.

In May of last year, Italy’s parliament introduced a bill to restrict social media access for children under 15, which is currently under review by the Italian Senate.

Spain also intends to prohibit social media use for children under 16, though the measure is still being debated in the Spanish Congress.

Other countries, including Slovenia, Greece, and Germany, are preparing legislation to impose restrictions on social media access for minors.