EU Moves Toward Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

The European Union is considering a major step to curb minors’ access to social media, with growing momentum behind a new initiative led by Greece and supported by France and Spain. The proposal seeks to introduce legislation that would significantly restrict children’s use of platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, citing concerns over screen time and mental health.

This move comes amid rising global awareness on the issue. Australia recently announced plans to enforce a minimum age of 16 for creating accounts on major social platforms later this year, putting additional pressure on other governments to act.

According to a document obtained by POLITICO, EU member states are encouraging Brussels to establish a unified “age of digital adulthood.” Under this standard, minors below the age threshold would require parental consent to access social media, effectively barring automatic access for users under 16.