The age of unrestricted social media scrolling for young teens might be coming to an end in parts of Europe. 📵 Driven by growing concerns over mental health, addiction, and online safety, several governments are moving to legally restrict children's access to major platforms. The recent global momentum, including a landmark US court case in March this year and Australia's ban in late 2025, is now echoing across the continent.
Here's a look at the European countries making headlines in April 2026 with new laws or proposals:
🇹🇷 Türkiye: Ban for Under-15s
Just this week, Türkiye's parliament passed a law banning social media use for children under 15. The legislation also requires digital and gaming platforms to implement strict age verification and appoint local representatives. It's one of the most direct and immediate bans enacted in the region so far.
🇬🇷 Greece: Preparing for a 2027 Ban
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced in April that access to social media will be banned for children under 15 starting 1 January 2027. Citing rising anxiety and sleep problems, the government plans to finalize the law in mid-2026. Greece aims to be a pioneer and push for similar action across the European Union.
🇦🇹 Austria: Targeting Addiction Algorithms
In March, Austria's government announced plans to ban social media for children up to age 14. Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler criticized platforms for "deliberate" addictive design. Draft legislation is expected by June 2026, focusing on platforms that use algorithms blamed for fostering dependency and exposing kids to harmful content.
The conversation is far from over, with other European nations likely watching closely. For now, the message from these governments is clear: protecting young minds online is becoming a top policy priority. 🧠✨
Reference(s):
Which European countries are banning children from social media?
cgtn.com
