Vietnam’s Kids Social Media Plan Joins a Growing Global Push for Age Limits

Vietnam is considering a draft decree that would let users under 16 keep their social media accounts while removing their ability to post, comment, or react to content. The proposal would require children’s accounts to be registered under a parent, who would be responsible for monitoring what the child accesses and how much time they spend on platforms. Social media companies would also have to use technical measures to identify child users and limit them to age-appropriate content.

The decree has not been finalized and could still change before adoption. Vietnam is also considering separate gaming restrictions for under-16 users, including a 60-minute daily cap per game and the same parental registration requirement.

The policy push is aimed at reducing risks young users may face online, including cyberbullying, addiction, mental health concerns, and exposure to predators. Australia became the first country to implement a youth social media ban in December 2025, setting a precedent other governments are watching. France has also moved forward with a ban for users under 15, adding momentum to the global debate.

The shared policy challenge is enforcement: governments want stronger age controls without creating overly invasive verification systems. That tension is now central to the next phase of social media regulation.

The article identifies a growing list of countries that have implemented, passed, proposed, or discussed restrictions for young users. Australia’s under-16 ban covers major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick, while excluding WhatsApp and YouTube Kids. Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, Spain, the U.K., and Germany are tied to under-16 measures or discussions, while France, Greece, Denmark, Poland, Slovenia, and Turkey focus on under-15 restrictions or proposals.

Austria has discussed a ban for children up to age 14. Several proposals still require further legislative action, final rules, or implementation timelines before taking effect.

Supporters of these policies frame them as child-protection measures, but critics warn that broad bans can be difficult to enforce and may ignore how younger generations actually use online spaces. Privacy concerns are especially sharp around age verification, which can require platforms to collect or infer sensitive user information. Amnesty Tech has criticized such bans as ineffective quick fixes, according to the article.

For parents, platforms, and policymakers, the key details to watch are how each country defines covered services, what verification methods are required, whether messaging or child-focused apps are exempt, and what penalties apply to noncompliant companies.