Social media ban for teenagers in Europe by 2026: Details
Political and legislative momentum is building within the European Union to take decisive steps aimed at banning the use of social media by teenagers, in a move that could change the shape of the internet as we know it by 2026. This debate, which has begun to take a serious turn in Brussels, comes in response to growing concerns about the mental health of the younger generations, and is influenced by similar international decisions.
The Australian spark and the European move
The debate in Europe has intensified significantly since last December, when Australia took the historic step of becoming the first country in the world to ban the use of social media platforms by those under the age of sixteen. This bold decision encouraged EU member states to closely monitor the experiment, with the ambition of implementing a similar model to protect minors at the unified European level.
European Alliance for the Protection of Children
Some countries did not wait for a central decision from Brussels; a group of nations, including France, Denmark, Greece, and Spain, called for a complete ban. In the absence of an immediate consensus, France decided to proceed unilaterally, with the French parliament approving in its first reading a bill banning platforms for those under fifteen, with direct and strong support from President Emmanuel Macron and the French government.
General context: Mental health and the Digital Services Act
This move is not coming out of thin air; it is based on a solid legislative foundation established by the European Union through the Digital Services Act (DSA), which imposes strict rules on major platforms. There is a growing body of scientific evidence and reports linking excessive social media use to the deterioration of adolescents' mental health, including increased rates of anxiety, depression, and body image disorders. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen likened these protective measures to banning smoking or alcohol for minors, emphasizing her personal support for this approach.
Expected effects and ongoing investigations
This ban, if passed in Europe, is expected to have huge global repercussions, forcing major Silicon Valley tech companies to redesign their algorithms and age verification systems. The European Union has already launched investigations in 2024 into the impact of Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok on children's health, with results expected by the end of June.
Timeline: Towards 2026
Despite national urgency in countries such as Denmark and Spain, the European Commission tasked with proposing unified measures, which was supposed to be formed by the end of 2025, has postponed its work until early 2026. This postponement aims to ensure the formulation of concrete measures that are technically and legally applicable to strengthen the protection of children online. The spokesperson for the Commission's Digital Affairs Division, Thomas Régnier, confirmed that "all options are open" and that different opinions will be taken into account in shaping the digital future of Europe.
