Poland Plans to Ban Social Media Use for Children Under 15

Poland’s government is preparing legislation that would prohibit children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, Education Minister Barbara Nowacka has announced.

Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg published Friday, Nowacka said the ruling Civic Platform-led coalition intends to introduce a draft law requiring digital platforms to verify users’ ages and assume responsibility for enforcing the minimum age requirement.

Under the proposed legislation, platforms that allow underage users to access their services could face financial penalties. The exact size of the fines remains under discussion.

Nowacka noted growing concerns about the mental health impact of social media on children and teenagers, as well as what she described as a noticeable decline in cognitive performance among young people. If approved, the law could come into force in early 2027.

Poland’s proposal comes amid broader discussions across Europe. Governments in Denmark, Greece, France, Spain and the United Kingdom are considering similar restrictions, citing concerns that social media services may be harmful or addictive for minors.

The British government said in January it was reviewing additional online safety measures for children, following similar legislation adopted by Australia in December.

The proposed Polish ban could bring Warsaw into direct confrontation with major U.S. technology firms such as Meta Platforms and X, owned by Elon Musk. 

Several tech companies have previously voiced objections to strict age-verification rules introduced in Australia and other jurisdictions.