Will the EU ban social media for children in 2026?
As France moves one step closer to banning social media for children, the European Union is seriously considering whether it's time for the bloc to follow suit.
Jan 28, 2026
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Internet
Page 3: Research news on Online child safety regulation
Online child safety regulation addresses legal, technical, and policy frameworks designed to protect minors on digital platforms, particularly social media and search services. Central themes include statutory minimum ages for account creation, mandatory age verification and age assurance technologies, and safety-by-design obligations such as teen defaults and PG-13 content gating. The field also examines platform liability for addictive design and youth mental health harms, constitutional and human-rights challenges to age-gating laws, and the effectiveness of national and regional regulatory regimes in reducing online risks to children.
Internet
French lawmakers pass bill banning social media for under-15s
French lawmakers have passed a bill that would ban social media use by under-15s, a move championed by President Emmanuel Macron as a way to protect children from excessive screen time.
Jan 27, 2026
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Internet
EU says WhatsApp to face stricter content rules
WhatsApp is set to face greater EU scrutiny after the European Commission on Monday added the platform to its list of digital firms big enough to face stricter content rules.
Jan 26, 2026
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Business
Social media giants face landmark trial over addiction claims
A landmark trial beginning this week in Los Angeles could establish a legal precedent on whether social media companies deliberately designed their platforms to addict children.
Jan 26, 2026
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Internet
Macron pushes for fast-track ban on social media for children under 15
French President Emmanuel Macron says he wants his government to fast-track the legal process to ensure that a ban on social media for children under the age of 15 can enter into force in September at the start of the next ...
Jan 26, 2026
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Consumer & Gadgets
Is an under-16 social media ban the right course?
Dr. Victoria Nash, associate professor and senior policy fellow at the Oxford Internet Institute, researches the governance challenges of digital technologies, with a particular focus on online safety, content moderation ...
Jan 23, 2026
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Internet
Snapchat settles to avoid social media addiction trial
Snapchat on Wednesday confirmed it made a deal to avoid a US civil trial accusing it, along with Meta, TikTok, and YouTube, of addicting young people to social media.
Jan 21, 2026
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Internet
UK, France mull social media bans for youth as debate rages
Countries including France and Britain are considering following Australia's lead by banning children and some teenagers from using social media, but experts are still locked in a debate over the effectiveness of the move.
Jan 19, 2026
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Internet
Social media platforms removed 4.7 million accounts after Australia banned them for children
Social media companies have revoked access to about 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children in Australia since the country banned use of the platforms by those under 16, officials said.
Jan 16, 2026
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Internet
Social media harms teens, watchdog warns, as France weighs ban
Social media harms the mental health of adolescents, particularly girls, France's health watchdog said Tuesday as the country debates banning children under 15 from accessing the immensely popular platforms.
Jan 13, 2026
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