Vietnam is weighing probably the most uncommon model but of the youth social media bans which can be sweeping the globe. As an alternative of kicking children off platforms fully, the nation needs to allow them to keep logged in — simply muted.
Underneath a draft decree from Vietnam’s Ministry of Tradition, Sports activities and Tourism, reported on Friday by Reuters, customers underneath 16 would hold their social media accounts however lose the power to publish, remark, or react to content material. The proposal would require social media accounts for kids underneath 16 to be registered underneath a father or mother, who would then be answerable for monitoring the content material the kid accesses and their time spent on the platforms. The platforms themselves could be required to deploy technical measures to determine which of their customers are youngsters and limit them to age-appropriate content material.
Deputy Tradition Minister Phan Tam mentioned the objective isn’t to ban or excessively limit youngsters’s entry to social media, however to make sure they’re in an age-appropriate setting once they do use it. The decree hasn’t been finalized and will nonetheless be revised earlier than adoption. Vietnam can also be contemplating separate restrictions on gaming, which might cap play for under-16 customers at 60 minutes a day per sport and apply the identical parental registration requirement used for social media accounts.
Over the previous months, many international locations have introduced plans to limit social media entry for kids and teenagers. Australia became the first to implement such measures on the finish of final yr, setting a precedent that different international locations are intently watching. Together with Vietnam, France extra not too long ago introduced such a measure.
The rules and proposals being introduced forth by governments around the globe purpose to cut back the pressures and dangers that younger customers could face on social media, which embody cyberbullying, habit, psychological well being points, and publicity to predators.
In fact, there are considerations about privateness relating to invasive age verification and extreme authorities intervention. Critics, together with Amnesty Tech, have additional mentioned such bans are ineffective and that they ignore the realities of youthful generations. Many countries are shifting forward with proposed laws anyway.
When you’re curious concerning the international locations which can be contemplating or have already moved ahead with bans on social media for younger customers, learn on.
Australia
Australia grew to become the world’s first nation to ban social media for kids underneath 16 in December 2025. The ban blocks youngsters from utilizing Fb, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick. It notably doesn’t embody WhatsApp or YouTube Youngsters.
The Australian authorities has mentioned these social media corporations should take steps to maintain youngsters off their companies. Firms that fail to conform could face penalties of as much as $49.5 million AUD ($34.4 million USD).
The federal government says these platforms ought to use a number of verification strategies to make sure that folks utilizing their companies are older than 16. It additionally notes that they will’t depend on customers merely getting into their very own age.
Austria
Austria mentioned in late March that it’s going to ban social media for kids as much as the age of 14. Draft laws for the ban is predicted to be finalized by June.
Canada
The Canadian authorities introduced a digital safety bill in early June that may ban social media for kids underneath 16. Underneath the laws, social media giants might sidestep the ban in the event that they reveal they’ve insurance policies to guard younger customers. Officers have mentioned it might take a yr for the invoice to cross.
Denmark
Denmark is set to ban social media platforms for kids underneath 15. The Danish authorities introduced in November 2025 that it had secured help for the ban from three governing coalition events and two opposition events in parliament.
The federal government’s plans might turn out to be regulation as quickly as mid-2026, in keeping with the Related Press. The Danish digital affairs ministry can also be launching a “digital proof” app that features age verification instruments that could be used as a part of the ban.
France
France handed a regulation on July 21 banning access to social media for anybody underneath 15. The regulation might go into impact as quickly as September 1. The regulation may also ban the usage of cell telephones in excessive faculties, extending a ban already current in main and center faculties.
Germany
In early February, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives mentioned a proposal to bar youngsters underneath 16 from utilizing social media, Reuters reported. Nonetheless, there have been indicators that his center-left coalition companions have been hesitant to help an outright ban.
Greece
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis introduced in April that the nation goes to ban access to social media for kids underneath 15 beginning January 2027. Mitsotakis says the transfer is aimed toward tackling rising nervousness and sleep issues amongst youngsters, in addition to the addictive design of social media.
Indonesia
Indonesia mentioned in early March that it’s banning children under the age of 16 from utilizing social media and different fashionable on-line platforms. The nation plans to start out with platforms reminiscent of YouTube, TikTok, Fb, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Reside, and Roblox.
Malaysia
The Malaysian authorities mentioned in November 2025 that it plans to ban social media for kids underneath 16. The nation plans to implement the ban this yr.
Poland
Poland’s ruling celebration is drafting new laws that may ban children under 15 from utilizing social media, Bloomberg reported in February.
Slovenia
Slovenia is drafting legislation to ban youngsters underneath 15 from accessing social media, the nation’s deputy prime minister introduced in early February. The federal government needs to control social networks the place content material is shared, citing platforms reminiscent of TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.
Spain
Spain’s prime minister introduced in early February that the nation plans to ban social media for kids underneath the age of 16. The ban nonetheless wants parliamentary approval. The Spanish authorities can also be searching for to create a regulation that may make social media executives personally accountable for hate speech on their platforms.
Turkey
The Turkish parliament in April passed a bill to limit social media entry for kids underneath 15. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan should now settle for the invoice for it to cross into regulation.
UK
U.Okay. prime minister Keir Starmer announced on June 15 that his authorities will impose a ban on social media use for kids underneath 16 years of age. The ban would apply to a spread of social media platforms, together with Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Fb, and X.
Messaging companies like WhatsApp and Sign is not going to be included within the ban. There are additionally going to be limitations on AI instruments, as AI “romantic companion” chatbots should guarantee they’re solely usable by folks over 18.
Consultants have questioned whether or not a blanket ban could be efficient. Starmer has acknowledged the challenges however mentioned he believes it’s doable to implement it. He mentioned a ban may very well be in place by spring 2027.
Vietnam
See above for the most recent on Vietnam’s proposal.
This story was initially printed in February 2026 and is up to date frequently with new data.
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