Andorra Pioneers Ban on Social Media for Under-16s

Andorra has positioned itself as a pioneer in regulating social media access for minors, with the government tabling amendments on Thursday to the Qualified Law on the Rights of Children and Adolescents. The changes would bar those under 16 from certain platforms and impose obligations on families, schools, and communities to support young people's development.

The proposal builds on a growing international trend prioritising child protection in digital spaces. France led the way in late January when its National Assembly approved restrictions for under-15s, effective from the start of the next school year. The measure relies on age verification and echoes Andorra's approach. President Emmanuel Macron underscored the stakes in a post on X, stating that "the brains of our children are not for sale, neither to American platforms nor to Chinese chains."

Spain followed in February, announcing a matching ban for under-16s. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticised major tech firms for amplifying online hate, though Madrid has yet to outline a clear legislative timeline.

Other European nations, including England, Italy, Denmark, Greece, Austria, and Ireland—home to several tech giants—are now debating digital governance. Australia set a global benchmark last December, prohibiting under-16s from accessing platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, X, Reddit, Discord, Twitch, and Kick. Enforcement there uses age inference, estimation, and verification, backed by fines for non-compliant multinationals.

Experts note that verification systems are not foolproof. Countries are therefore combining them with parental controls, platform responsibilities, and digital education to address online vulnerabilities. Andorra's concrete steps, while untested, align with this momentum toward safeguarding youth in digital environments.