Vienna/Paris – Following the example of other countries, Austria is preparing far-reaching regulations for children’s use of social networks. The federal government plans to introduce a social media ban for children and adolescents under the age of 14, which is expected to come into force at the start of the next school year in autumn 2026.

Who better to understand what young people in Austria and France are going through right now than Struwwelpeter? Bye-bye TikTok, Instagram, X, Snapchat! Image: Public Domain

According to Digital State Secretary Alexander Pröll (ÖVP), the governing parties SPÖ, NEOS and ÖVP broadly support the measure in principle. However, discussions are still ongoing regarding technical details and the concrete timeline. Criteria for age verification and implementation by platform operators are currently at the center of attention.

The plans aim to prevent access to social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, X or Snapchat for children under 14, similar to restrictions recently adopted in other countries. Ongoing debates also focus on practical enforcement, data protection and the possibility of EU-wide harmonized solutions.

Supporters of the initiative argue that early exposure to social networks entails risks such as addictive behavior, cyberbullying and negative effects on mental health. Critics, however, point out that a blanket ban does not address the root causes of the problems and could be circumvented through technical workarounds.

France: Ban for Under-15s Close to Final Adoption

France is taking a similar but even more far-reaching approach: on 26 january 2026, the National Assembly in Paris passed a law banning the use of social media for children under the age of 15. The law was adopted by a large majority and has now been submitted to the Senate for further review and final approval.

The French government under President Emmanuel Macron has strongly promoted the measure, emphasizing that it is a necessary step to protect children and adolescents from negative consequences such as excessive screen time, online harassment and psychological strain. Implementation is planned before the start of the school year in September 2026.

In addition to the age restriction, the draft law also includes an extension of the smartphone ban in secondary schools in order to reduce digital distractions in the classroom environment.

Supporters point to high levels of public approval and stress the need for a clear signal to protect young people. Opponents, by contrast, warn of restrictions on personal freedom and practical difficulties in age verification.

Shared European Context and Trend

The debates in both countries take place against the backdrop of broader discussions on child protection in the digital space. In several EU member states – including Denmark, Spain and Norway – similar age limits or regulatory approaches are being examined, often with a focus on mental health, data protection and media literacy.

Some European institutions are calling for more uniform minimum standards. The European Parliament, for example, has already voted in a non-binding resolution in favor of a minimum age of 16 or stronger protection regimes for minors, even though this does not currently correspond to EU law.

Outlook

Austria: Legislative procedures and technical details are still open, with the goal of implementation in autumn 2026 for children under 14.

France: The law has been passed by the National Assembly and is now before the Senate; autumn 2026 is likewise the target timeframe for its entry into force.

Both initiatives illustrate how strongly European states are prioritizing the protection of children and adolescents in the digital space – and how different the political paths toward achieving this goal can be.

By Okay Altinisik | 27-1-2026, 16:38:14