Is a ban on social media for under‑15s enough?

A ban fits within Europe’s regulatory tradition

Australia is the first country to introduce strict measures to curb young people’s social media use. Under the Australian approach, social media companies must implement age‑verification systems. If they fail to do so, they face substantial fines.

A ban on social media use below the age of 15 aligns with a long European tradition of discouraging harmful behaviours among young people, such as smoking, gambling and alcohol consumption. Lessons can be drawn from restrictions in these domains, as well as from other forms of digital regulation such as the GDPR, the DMA, the DSA, the AI Act and the Chips Act. Yet, despite these strong examples, safeguarding public values in the digital domain has proven difficult in practice.

More and more countries are considering age‑based restrictions, including the Netherlands. The recent Dutch coalition agreement calls for an enforceable European age verification of 15 years with privacy‑friendly methods, as long as social media remain insufficiently safe. Parents and teachers are likely to welcome such a ban; children somewhat less so. My twelve‑year‑old neighbour is probably an exception, he does not mind much, as long as he can keep gaming.

“An enforceable European age verification of 15 years for social media with privacy-friendly age verification, as long as social media are insufficiently secure.”

_{Carine van Oosteren, Senior innovation policy advisor}

Disadvantages and limitations of a ban

Scientists have expressed criticism of social media bans. Studies show that social media use can have not only negative but also positive effects on young people. Those positive effects would also disappear under a ban. Some research shows associations between social media use and depressive symptoms, but no causal link has been established.

There are also doubts about enforceability. Early reports from Australia show that the ban is relatively easy to circumvent. Does a ban risk creating a false sense of security?

Increasing the likelihood of success

Adjusting the social media behaviour of young people is even more challenging than restricting alcohol use under 18. Social media use is far less visible. A simple age ban is unlikely to be sufficient. NIX15, a complementary social norm that helps normalise a ban for under‑15s, could support enforcement. Some researchers argue for more emphasis on media literacy. Parents and teachers should be better equipped to set the right example and help others navigate social media responsibly. TNO aims to contribute by jointly developing a digital self‑assessment tool with organisations in Switzerland and Estonia.

Australia as a guiding example

Stanford University’s Social Media Lab will monitor the effectiveness of Australia’s ban. Europe can learn from this when shaping its own approach. Should the ban prove ineffective, even with social norms and media literacy, platforms may need to be blocked from entering the EU market unless they adjust their algorithms.

In conclusion

The Dutch coalition agreement calls for privacy‑friendly European age verification. But would that alone be enough? Additional measures will likely be needed, possibly at the national level, such as establishing a social norm (NIX15), combined with smart media literacy tools. Who will help think through the best solution for Europe and the Netherlands?