- As Europe grapples with the growing impact of social media on children, several countries are considering following Australia’s lead by restricting access for users under 16.
- While policymakers see the move as a proactive step to protect young minds, experts caution that technical challenges, loopholes, and unintended consequences mean that a hasty ban may do more harm than good.
- With children already deeply immersed in digital life, the debate highlights the delicate balance between prevention and practicality in safeguarding the next generation.
Germany, France, Spain, and a growing list of European countries are exploring the possibility of restricting social media access for children, following Australia’s groundbreaking ban on users under 16, introduced in December 2025.
Proponents argue that such measures could prevent “personality deficits and social behavior problems” in young people, while critics caution that implementation may be fraught with complications.
Australian authorities have already reported that 4.7 million accounts belonging to children under 16 were blocked in the first half of December, though experts note that these numbers may not capture the full picture. Many teens reportedly circumvented the ban using false ages or other workarounds, highlighting the limitations of age-verification technologies, dw.com reports.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and French President Emmanuel Macron have all voiced support for protecting children from the pitfalls of early exposure to social media. Yet researchers from Australia caution that the effects of the ban are still unclear and emphasize the need for careful evaluation before other countries adopt similar rules.
Professor Tama Leaver of Curtin University notes that any cultural or behavioral changes from Australia’s approach will take years to materialize. Similarly, Susan Sawyer from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute stresses that hasty adoption in Europe could confuse teens who already have social media accounts, creating a “done to them” effect rather than a guided approach.
Experts argue that a staggered introduction, longer consultation periods, and involvement of children in the discussion would likely be more effective than outright bans. The EU’s Digital Services Act already imposes safety rules, but enforcing a uniform age restriction across multiple countries poses complex legal and technical challenges.
While the political appeal of a decisive prohibition is strong, Australia’s experience highlights the technical, ethical, and social complexities involved. European policymakers are urged to learn from these lessons before rushing to replicate the model, keeping in mind that prevention is more effective when carefully designed, not hastily imposed.
