Slovenia plans social media ban for children under 15

Among several countries lately, Slovenia is also moving towards banning access to social media platforms for children under the age of 15, as the government prepares draft legislation aimed at protecting minors online.

Deputy Prime Minister Matej Arčon said the Education Ministry initiated the proposal and would be developed with input from professionals.

The planned law would apply to major social networks where user-generated content is shared, including TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram. Arčon said the initiative reflects growing international concern over the impact of social media on children’s mental health, privacy and exposure to addictive design features.

Slovenia’s move follows similar debates and proposals across Europe and beyond. Countries such as Italy, France, Spain, UK, Greece and Austria have considered restrictions, while Australia has already introduced a nationwide minimum age for social media use.

Spain’s prime minister recently defended proposed limits, arguing that technology companies should not influence democratic decision-making.

Critics of such bans warn of potential unintended consequences. Telegram founder Pavel Durov has argued that age-based restrictions could lead to broader data collection and increased state control over online content.

Despite these concerns, Slovenia’s government appears determined to proceed, positioning the measure as part of a broader effort to strengthen child protection in the digital space.

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