Austria and Poland consider age limits for social media access

Austria and Poland are moving toward introducing age limits for social media use, reflecting a broader European debate on how to protect children online.

In Austria, government officials have indicated that children under 14 could be barred from accessing social media platforms starting with the new school year in September 2026. Political parties in the governing coalition agree on the need to strengthen protections for young users, but discussions continue on how age verification should work in practice. One of the main points of debate concerns how to confirm a user’s age without compromising privacy.

In Poland, the government is drafting legislation that would restrict access to social media for users under 15. The proposal is expected to rely on digital identification tools to verify age. Supporters argue that limits are necessary to address concerns about excessive screen time and exposure to harmful content, while critics emphasise the role of parents and platform enforcement.

The initiatives in Austria and Poland align with developments elsewhere in Europe. France is advancing measures to restrict access for under-15s, and Spain is considering similar steps. In Greece, authorities are preparing online safety rules that could include a ban for under-15s, potentially enforced through a digital Kids Wallet application.