The end of under-16 scrolling? Europe follows Australia’s hardline tech ban
The European Parliament is convening this Tuesday, January 20, to debate a standardized EU-wide social media age limit of 16. The proposal aims to curb AI-generated deepfakes and sexual exploitation while mandating parental consent for users aged 13 to 16.
This legislative push seeks to protect minors from psychological risks and addictive digital patterns. It mirrors a global trend, following Australia’s landmark ban and recent support from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for similar restrictions.
The Australian precedent and heavy tech penalties
Since December 10, Australian children under 16 have been barred from platforms including Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. Tech giants failing to enforce these age gates face massive penalties of up to €28 million (approx. 50 million AUD).
As the EU observes the Australian model, individual member states are already fast-tracking their own restrictive frameworks to shield younger generations from digital harm.
Denmark and France lead the European charge
Denmark plans to implement a ban for those under 15 within months, having secured broad parental backing. The government has allocated €21.4 million (approx. 160 million DKK) to online safety initiatives and a national age-verification app.
In France, Digital Affairs Minister Anne Le Hénanff is preparing a bill for early 2026 to restrict social media for minors under 15. This follows legal action from seven families who sued TikTok after their children were exposed to self-harm content.
Stricter oversight in Spain and the Mediterranean
Spain’s Parliament is currently debating a law that requires explicit parental consent for anyone under 16 to access virtual spaces, including generative AI platforms. Recent polls show that 79% of Spanish parents support an Australian-style ban.
Meanwhile, Italy and Greece are considering similar measures. Italy faces a collective lawsuit against Meta and TikTok involving 3.5 million underage users, while Greece has already seen "transformative" results after banning smartphones in classrooms.
A permanent legal battle for the digital generation
While Germany remains hesitant to impose a legal "digital age of consent," the European Parliament’s tone is increasingly alarmist. Non-binding reports urge the Commission to treat social media access with the same gravity as age-restricted physical goods.
With 80% of teenagers checking their phones hourly, the era of unregulated scrolling appears to be ending. Brussels is signaling that without parental intervention, platforms like Instagram and Snapchat may soon be off-limits for those under 16.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
