Social Media Restrictions for Young People

What it is, why it matters, and what’s at stake

The Proposal

Across Europe, governments are considering social media bans, curfews, and age-based restrictions for young people.

Supporters argue these measures are necessary to address concerns about mental health, addiction, harmful content, and online safety.

While these concerns are legitimate, blanket restrictions risk creating new problems while failing to solve the old ones.

Why It Matters

Young people deserve access to the digital public square

Social media is where millions of young people access news, discuss politics, build communities, and engage in civic life. Restricting access risks excluding them from an increasingly important part of public discourse.

Bans are easy to circumvent

History shows that prohibition rarely works when demand remains high. VPNs, shared accounts, and false age declarations make enforcement difficult and often ineffective.

Restrictions may push users towards riskier platforms

If young people are excluded from mainstream platforms, many will simply move to less regulated online spaces with weaker moderation and fewer safeguards.

Digital literacy is learned through experience

Young people do not suddenly become digitally competent at a specific age. Safe online behaviour is developed through guidance, experience, and gradual responsibility.

Age verification threatens privacy

Effective enforcement would likely require identity verification systems affecting all users, creating new privacy and security risks while expanding digital surveillance.

The Bigger Picture

The challenge facing Europe is not whether young people should be online, but how to make the online environment safer.

Blanket bans focus on restricting access rather than addressing the mechanisms that contribute to harm. A better approach targets harmful design practices, improves transparency, strengthens privacy protections, and holds platforms accountable for genuine risks.

Europe has the power to shape a safer internet without excluding young people from it.

Our Position

We oppose blanket social media bans and digital curfews for young people.

We support policies that:

• Protect children from genuine online harms

• Preserve access to information and digital participation

• Respect privacy and avoid mandatory identity verification

• Promote digital literacy and responsible online behaviour

• Increase platform transparency and accountability

• Target harmful mechanisms rather than banning access

Get Involved

Join our campaign against social media bans and disproportionate digital restrictions.

Help us promote policies that protect young people without sacrificing privacy, freedom, and participation.

• Share this campaign

• Host a discussion or event

• Partner with us

• Follow campaign updates