Dutch Government Proposes EU-Wide Ban on Social Media Use for Under-15s

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In its blueprints for the future of the country, the recently formed Dutch minority coalition government has announced plans to push for a European-wide minimum age of 15 for social media use. The government is also planning to increase digital sovereignty in the Netherlands.

The plans are part of a new coalition government agreement between the Democrats 66 (D66), the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), and the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).

Under the plans, the coalition government says it wants:

An enforceable European minimum age of 15 for social media with privacy-friendly age verification for young people... There will be stricter supervision of large online platforms, with obligations for transparency about algorithms and revenues, and effective moderation of illegal content. Addictive, polarizing, and anti-democratic algorithms will be banned, and criminal content must be removed within one hour of an order from the supervisory authority. We are working together with other frontrunners in Europe on this.

The parties argue that existing EU rules, which allow social media access from age 13, are insufficient to protect children.

The initiative reflects growing concern among policymakers and parents about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health and development. Public opinion polls in the Netherlands have previously shown substantial support for a higher age limit, with around seven in ten adults backing a ban for those under 15.

Similar suggestions have been made in Malaysia, France, and the UK.

The coalition government also states it wants to tackle the issue of sexual deepfakes with a central reporting center, and strengthen the Netherlands’ approach to online fraud by intensifying public-private cooperation, and working on prevention and support for victims in settling claims. 

However, the coalition’s minority status in the 150-seat Dutch parliament means it will need the backing of other parties to turn any proposals into law.