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Europe seeks underage user bans

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Several European governments and EU bodies moved to restrict children's social‑media access, with France, the Czech Republic and the UK proposing bans for under‑15s or under‑16s to protect minors.

Dagens Nyheter
Iris, 15: 'It sounds crazy – but I can't imagine life without social media'

LONDON. A ban on social media for people under 16 is being debated in the British House of Commons. But what do those who would be most affected think? DN talks with Iris, Max and Benjamin — all 15 and living in London — about how they use social media and a potential ban.

Iris, 15: 'It sounds crazy – but I can't imagine life without social media'
Reposts 2 11h
Dagens Nyheter
Erik de la Reguera: Our children's brains have become a battleground

PARIS. Children and teenagers under 15 could soon be banned from using social media in France. Laws are also moving forward in the United Kingdom, Spain, Denmark and Sweden. Our children's brains have become a battleground. But the question is how we best protect them.

Erik de la Reguera: Our children's brains have become a battleground
Reposts 5 11h
Dagens Nyheter
EU trend: Restricting social media for young people

BRUSSELS. Across Europe several countries are moving to limit access to social media for children and teenagers. Among others France, Luxembourg and the EU Parliament also want to see an EU ban.

EU trend: Restricting social media for young people
Reposts 1 11h

by Jonathan Haidt

28%
The Guardian
‘It felt hypocritical’: child internet safety campaign accused of censoring teenagers’ speeches

Exclusive: Childnet, a UK charity part-funded by US tech firms, edited out warnings by two young speakers at its 2024 Safer Internet Day event An internet safety campaign backed by US tech companies has been accused of censoring two teenagers they invited to speak out about the biggest issues facing children online. Childnet, a UK charity part-funded by companies including Snap, Roblox and Meta, edited out warnings from Lewis Swire and Saamya Ghai that social media addiction was an “imminent threat to our future” and obsessive scrolling was making people “sick”, according to a record of edits seen by the Guardian. Continue reading. . .

‘It felt hypocritical’: child internet safety campaign accused of censoring teenagers’ speeches
Reposts 13 13h
Der Standard
Czechia plans social media ban for under-15s

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš spoke out in favor of the ban for the first time, saying, 'We must protect our children,' the 71-year-old demanded.

Czechia plans social media ban for under-15s
Reposts 0 15h

by Ellis Cashmore

16%
elliscashmore.bsky.social
Australia’s idiotic social media ban was always unpoliceable, easily evaded & perversely seductive to teenagers. Now parts of Europe are lining up to copy it — proof that bad policy travels fast.
fairobserver.com/business/tec...

#SocialMedia #TechPolicy #DigitalRegulation
February 8, 2026 at 4:32 PM

by Patrick Dunleavy

42%
patrickdunleavy.bsky.social
Five young teens on life under Australia’s social media ban: ‘It’s not a big deal any more’
February 8, 2026 at 3:58 PM

Reposted by Bessma Momani

4%
bmoens.bsky.social
European countries are edging closer to broad social media bans for children, even as doubts persist over how to implement them and the risk of a new battle with US tech groups.

A deep dive with Leila Abboud & @NicFildes

www.ft.com/content/cf46...
Can Europe get kids off social media?
Move follows Australia’s decision to introduce age restrictions over child safety concerns
www.ft.com
February 8, 2026 at 1:20 PM
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