European countries including France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Germany are evaluating restrictions on social media access for children, inspired by Australia’s recent under-16 ban. The Australian measure, which came into effect on December 10, prohibits children under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts on platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitch, Reddit, and YouTube. Violating platforms could face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (€28 million).
Denmark has already taken steps, securing cross-party agreement to ban some social media sites for children under 15. Caroline Stage, Denmark’s minister for digital affairs, said lawmakers may take months to pass the legislation. The country plans to implement an age verification app using its national electronic ID system and has earmarked 160 million kroner (€21.4 million) for 14 initiatives aimed at child online safety.
In France, officials are planning to introduce a bill in early 2026 to restrict social media for children under 15. Anne Le Hénanff, France’s minister of digital affairs, said the move follows a parliamentary commission report recommending a ban for under-15s and a digital curfew for those under 18. The report emerged after seven French families sued TikTok in 2024, alleging the platform exposed their children to content encouraging suicide. French President Emmanuel Macron has indicated that if the European Union does not act, France will take national measures, stating, “The platforms can verify age, do it.”
Spain is considering a bill that would bar children under 16 from accessing social networks, online forums, and platforms using generative artificial intelligence without parental consent. In other cases, the minimum age would be 14 to protect children from early exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, or misuse of personal data. The draft law would also require app stores to allow parents to monitor and approve downloads. A recent YouGov poll found 79 percent of Spanish parents support an Australian-style restriction, though one in three said enforcement could be challenging.
Italy’s parliament has introduced a bill targeting social media use by children under 15, including regulations on “kidfluencers.” Platforms would verify age through a digital identity wallet connected to the upcoming EU system. Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara said Italy should follow the Australian example. A class-action lawsuit against TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram alleges millions of Italian children under 14 use social media despite being too young; a court hearing is scheduled for February.
Greece is also weighing a similar approach. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the country is conducting “the largest uncontrolled experiment ever on the minds of our children,” with potentially negative consequences. Greece already bans smartphones in classrooms and has introduced a parental control app, Kids Wallet, to help manage online access.
Germany has not implemented under-16 restrictions yet, but the parliament is studying whether a nationwide ban should be introduced. A committee is examining the impact of social media on minors and will release its findings in autumn 2026. Authorities are considering a measure that would apply to all underage users, regardless of parental consent.
The European discussion reflects growing concern about children’s safety, mental health, and exposure to harmful online content, echoing global trends toward stricter regulation of social media access for minors.
