Vietnam is currently considering a distinctive approach to regulating social media access for children, proposing that users under 16 would retain their accounts but lose the ability to post, comment, or react to content. This draft decree, from Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, would also require parental registration for these accounts, placing responsibility on parents to monitor content and screen time. Social media platforms would be mandated to implement technical measures to identify underage users and provide age-appropriate content.
Deputy Culture Minister Phan Tam stated that the objective is not to ban or excessively restrict children's access, but to ensure a safe, age-appropriate online environment. The decree is still in draft form and may undergo revisions. This move by Vietnam aligns with a broader international trend, as several countries worldwide are either implementing or contemplating restrictions on social media for younger users to mitigate risks such as cyberbullying, addiction, mental health issues, and exposure to harmful content.
Australia led the way, becoming the first country to ban social media for children under 16 in December 2025. This ban covers major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and X, with companies facing significant penalties, potentially up to AUD 49.5 million, for non-compliance. The Australian government insists that platforms must employ robust, multi-method age verification rather than solely relying on self-declared ages.
Following Australia's precedent, other nations have announced similar intentions. France has recently declared its own plans, while Austria stated in late March that it will ban social media for children up to the age of 14, with draft legislation expected to be finalised by the end of June 2026. Canada introduced a digital safety bill in early June 2026 that includes a ban for under-16s, though platforms could be exempt if they demonstrate adequate protection policies. Denmark is also set to ban social media for children under 15, with governmental support secured in November 2025 for legislation that could be enacted as soon as mid-2026.
While the intent behind these global legislative efforts is to safeguard young people, concerns have been raised by critics, including Amnesty Tech, regarding privacy implications of invasive age verification processes and potential government overreach. Some argue that outright bans may not be effective and could overlook the realities of how younger generations interact with digital platforms. Nevertheless, the momentum towards such restrictions appears to be growing internationally.