Across Europe, governments are increasingly exploring a “social media delay” to restrict or better regulate children’s access to online platforms. These proposals are driven by growing concerns around youth mental health and online safety risks.
Currently, thirteen European countries are considering measures such as raising the minimum access age, introducing mandatory parental consent, or strengthening age-verification requirements to delay social media use among children.
| Country | Minimum age | Implementation / target date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | 14 | TBC (draft by June 2026) | Proposed |
| Denmark | 15 | Mid-2026 | Passed |
| France | 15 | September 2026 | Passed* |
| Germany | 14 | TBC | Proposed |
| Greece | 15 | 1 January 2027 | Passed |
| Italy | 15 | TBC | Considering |
| Netherlands | 15 | TBC | Proposed |
| Norway | 16 | 2027 (bill by end 2026) | Proposed |
| Poland | 15 | TBC | Proposed |
| Portugal | 16 | TBC | Passed |
| Slovenia | 15 | TBC | Drafting |
| Spain | 16 | TBC | Proposed |
| UK | 16 | TBC | Consulting |
Austria: Austria agreed on a social media ban for children under 14 in March 2026. A draft proposal is expected by the end of June 2026 and will include technically modern methods of age verification. No firm implementation date has been set yet.
Denmark: Denmark’s government announced an agreement to ban access to social media for anyone under 15, one of the strongest steps by an EU government. The ban may rely on Denmark’s national electronic ID system for enforcement, with the plan potentially becoming law as soon as mid-2026. Parents would be able to override the rule for children aged 13 and 14.
France: France has been one of the more proactive EU countries on youth digital regulation. It already enforces a digital age of consent at 15 under GDPR flexibility rules. The National Assembly passed legislation in January 2026 requiring social media companies to turn away new users under 15 and erase existing accounts belonging to that age group. The Senate subsequently approved its own version of the bill, though the two houses passed different versions of the law, which now need to be reconciled before final passage*. The focus includes stronger age verification systems and restrictions on addictive platform design for minors, with the measures targeted for enforcement from the start of the school year in September 2026.
Germany: Germany’s upper house called for a ban on social media use for children under 14, with restrictions for those under 16, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed support for the proposal. However, the measure may face legal challenges as Germany’s constitution gives parents the primary right over their children’s upbringing.
Greece: Prime Minister Mitsotakis announced that children under 15 will be banned from using social platforms beginning 1 January 2027. Greece is one of the few European countries to have set a firm implementation date, and the Ministry of Digital Governance plans to use the state-built Kids Wallet app to enforce the ban.
Italy: The Italian parliament introduced a bill in May 2024 proposing restrictions on social media use, including rules for child influencers under 15. However, as of early 2026 no legislation has come into effect. Italy currently sets its digital age of consent at 14 and has so far taken a more cautious approach than most European peers, preferring digital education over outright bans.
Netherlands: The Dutch government is considering a social media ban for minors under 15, to be enforced through privacy-friendly age verification, though the proposal is at an early stage with key details still undefined.
Norway: Norway’s government will present a bill to Parliament before the end of 2026 proposing an age limit for children using social media. The age limit will apply from 1 January of the year a child turns 16, so that entire school cohorts gain access simultaneously. Technology companies will be responsible for age verification at login.
Poland: Poland’s Minister of Education presented plans in February 2026 to ban social media use for children under 15, alongside a ban on mobile phones in primary schools. Companies that do not comply could face fines of up to 6% of their annual revenue.
Portugal: Portugal’s parliament approved a bill in February 2026 requiring explicit parental consent for children aged 13 to 16 to access social media. Tech companies that ignore the restrictions face fines of up to 2% of their global revenue.
Slovenia: Slovenia is drafting a law that would prohibit children under 15 from accessing social media. The proposal was confirmed by the Deputy Prime Minister in February 2026.
Spain: Spain announced plans to introduce an Australia-style social media ban for under-16s, with Prime Minister Sánchez describing social media as a “failed state” where laws are ignored. Spain is considered the first European country to officially announce such a ban, though it still requires full parliamentary approval.
UK: The UK already enforces strict child safety obligations under the Online Safety Act framework. Current debate centres on raising the minimum social media age to 16 and introducing stronger age assurance and design restrictions. The government is formally consulting parents, young people, and civil society and may also require social media companies to limit or remove features that drive compulsive use, such as endless scrolling.
Updated: April 2026