Andorra Bans Under-16s from Risky Social Media, Sets Screen Limits

The Andorran government has approved a draft bill amending the Qualified Law on the Rights of Children and Adolescents, imposing bans on under-16s' access to social networks posing risks to their development or mental health, alongside mandatory screen time guidelines by age group.

The Council of Ministers approved the project on Tuesday, with Interior Minister Marc Rossell—overseeing Public Function and Digital Transformation—presenting it during a Wednesday press conference. The bill now moves to parliament with an advanced draft regulation detailing the prohibited platforms list and daily mobile device usage limits for bands including 0-3 years, 3-6 years, 6-12 years, and 12-16 years. Telecom operators like Andorra Telecom must configure SIM cards for under-16s with default filters blocking violent or pornographic content from searches and browsing results.

Rossell described the measures as "necessary and bold," likening digital misuse risks to those of alcohol or tobacco for minors. He highlighted evolving threats such as cyberbullying, social isolation, digital addiction, and privacy issues, stressing that adults must supervise device use akin to past oversight of television. The reforms establish robust age verification to prevent minors from bypassing restrictions via false entries, while non-prohibited networks require parental authorization. The prohibited list will draw from local experts and international studies by UNICEF and the United Nations, with periodic reviews to address emerging platforms.

Rossell acknowledged technology's limits, noting that while filters exist, some adolescents may circumvent them. He emphasized education, parental controls, and youth awareness, adding that many platforms already restrict under-13s manually, with automation planned. The bill also ties into forthcoming Criminal Code amendments to address rights violations, though details remain pending.

Health leaders back the initiative. Joan Soler, head of Mental Health and Addictions at SAAS, called for a "bold approach" with limits or bans, citing research on screens' harm to brain development, concentration, attention, and dopamine via short videos on apps like TikTok or Instagram. He urged rethinking parenting roles to prioritize education and psychological growth over screen-based relationships. Dr. Maria Giró recently reinforced this at a Sant Julià conference.

The changes aim to lead global standards in digital child protection, converting parental responsibilities into legal duties while affirming minors' technology rights.