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Greece moves to restrict youth social media access with new digital age rules

New measures to protect minors online have been announced by Greece, introducing a national ‘digital age of majority’, restricting access to social media for users under 15.

The policy forms part of a broader strategy addressing child safety and digital overuse, with implementation scheduled for January 2027.

An initiative that places primary responsibility on platforms, requiring robust age-verification systems and periodic re-verification of existing accounts. Authorities will oversee compliance under the EU’s Digital Services Act framework, with penalties including fines and operational restrictions for violations.

The policy builds on earlier tools such as KidsWallet, an age-verification mechanism already deployed nationally.

Authorities in Greece argue that reliance on parental control alone is insufficient, citing increasing evidence linking excessive platform use to mental health risks, including anxiety, reduced sleep, and social isolation.

A proposal that aligns with wider European discussions on youth protection, including efforts to establish a unified digital age threshold across member states.

Greece has also called for stronger EU-wide enforcement mechanisms, positioning the measure as part of a coordinated approach to safeguarding minors in digital environments.

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UK’s Ofcom report reveals evolving online habits and growing AI reliance

New Ofcom research suggests that UK adults are becoming more cautious and passive in their use of social media, even as interest in AI tools grows, pointing to a wider shift in how people experience digital life.

While social media remains widely used, the report indicates that users are participating less actively and becoming more selective about what they share and how visible they are online.

That shift is tied in part to growing unease about digital well-being. Concerns about screen time and the wider effects of online platforms are rising, with fewer adults convinced that the benefits of being online outweigh the risks. Many say they are actively trying to limit their usage, reflecting broader anxieties about the impact of digital media on mental health and everyday life.

At the same time, AI adoption is accelerating, especially among younger users. Ofcom’s findings suggest that people are using AI not only for productivity and creative tasks, but also, in some cases, for conversational and emotional support, pointing to a changing relationship between users and digital tools.

Other findings reinforce the sense of a more fragmented digital environment. Trust in news remains uneven, mainstream sources still hold a central place but face growing scepticism, and confidence in digital skills does not always translate into an ability to identify misinformation, scams, or other online risks.

Taken together, the findings suggest that the UK’s digital habits are not simply expanding but changing in character. Users appear to be growing more wary of social platforms, more alert to digital harms, and more open to new forms of interaction through AI.

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Swiss survey highlights concern over big tech and digital sovereignty

Public concern over big tech companies is growing in Switzerland, according to a new survey by gfs.bern conducted on behalf of the Mercator Foundation Switzerland. A large majority of respondents view major technology firms as primarily profit-driven, while also expressing unease about their broader influence on society and politics.

Survey findings show that 90% of respondents believe big tech companies are mainly motivated by profit, while 94% support stronger protections for children and young people on social media platforms. Concerns extend beyond commercial behaviour, with 84% worried about political influence from the countries where these companies are based and 82% fearing increasing dependence on firms from the United States and China.

Overall perceptions in Switzerland remain mixed: 21% of respondents express a positive view of big tech companies, 40% hold a neutral stance, and 38% report negative impressions. Similar attitudes have been observed across Europe, where surveys in countries such as France and Germany indicate that many citizens consider existing regulatory frameworks insufficient.

Despite concerns about corporate influence, attitudes towards digitalisation itself remain broadly positive. Around 58% of respondents see digitalisation as beneficial overall, and 53% believe it offers personal advantages. However, only 48% think it benefits society as a whole, while 46% perceive its impact on democratic processes as negative.

A strong majority expects public institutions to take on greater responsibility for managing digital transformation. Around 88% support government efforts to ensure transparency in AI decision-making, while 86% want human oversight in critical situations. High levels of trust in Swiss authorities suggest public backing for a more active state role in shaping digital policy and safeguarding democratic values.

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France moves toward social media restrictions for children under 15

Legislative efforts in France signal a shift toward stricter governance of youth access to digital platforms, with policymakers preparing to debate a ban on social media use for children under 15.

A proposal that forms part of a broader strategy to address concerns over online harms and excessive screen exposure among adolescents.

The draft law in France extends beyond access restrictions, proposing a digital curfew for older teenagers and expanding existing school phone bans to include high schools.

These measures reflect increasing reliance on regulatory intervention instead of voluntary platform safeguards, as evidence links prolonged digital engagement with risks such as cyberbullying, disrupted sleep patterns and exposure to harmful content.

Political backing for the initiative has emerged from figures aligned with Emmanuel Macron, reinforcing the government’s position that stronger oversight of digital environments is necessary. The proposal also mirrors developments in Australia, where similar restrictions have already entered into force.

A debate that is further influenced by legal actions targeting major platforms, including TikTok and Meta, amid allegations that algorithmic systems contribute to harmful user experiences.

The outcome of the parliamentary discussions in France is expected to shape future approaches to child safety, platform accountability and digital rights governance across Europe.

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Australia reviews compliance with under-16 social media age ban

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has released an update on rules requiring platforms to prevent users under 16 from holding accounts. Early results show significant action by companies, but also ongoing challenges in fully enforcing the restrictions.

By mid-December 2025, around 4.7 million accounts were removed or restricted, with more than 300,000 additional accounts blocked by March 2026. Despite these reductions, many children continue to retain accounts, create new ones, or pass age assurance checks.

Regulators identified several compliance concerns, including platforms that allow repeated attempts at age verification and encourage some users to update their ages. Reporting systems for underage accounts were often difficult to access, particularly for parents.

Investigations into five major platforms are ongoing to determine whether they have taken reasonable steps to meet their legal obligations. Authorities are assessing systems and processes rather than individual accounts, with enforcement decisions expected by mid-2026.

A new legislative rule introduced in March 2026 targets platform features linked to potential harm, such as recommender systems and continuous content feeds. Regulators will continue working with industry while gathering evidence and maintaining transparency during the enforcement process.

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UK tests social media bans for children in national pilot

The UK government has launched a large-scale pilot programme to test social media restrictions in the homes of 300 teenagers, aiming to improve children’s well-being instead of relying solely on existing digital safety measures.

The initiative, led by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and supported by Liz Kendall, will run for six weeks and examine how limits on digital platforms affect young people’s daily lives, including sleep, schoolwork, and family relationships.

Families across the UK will be divided into groups testing different approaches. Some parents will block access to social media entirely, while others will introduce a one-hour daily limit on popular platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.

Another group will implement overnight curfews, restricting access between 9 pm and 7 am, while a control group will maintain existing usage patterns rather than introducing changes.

Participants will be interviewed before and after the trial to assess behavioural and practical outcomes, including how easily restrictions can be enforced and whether teenagers attempt to bypass controls.

The pilot runs alongside a national consultation on children’s digital well-being, which has already received nearly 30,000 responses. Government officials and academic experts will analyse data gathered from both initiatives to guide future policy decisions.

A programme that aims to ensure that any regulatory steps are evidence-based, reflecting real-life experiences rather than theoretical assumptions about digital behaviour.

Alongside the government trials, an independent scientific study funded by the Wellcome Trust will examine the effects of reduced social media use among adolescents.

Led by researchers from the University of Cambridge and the Bradford Institute for Health Research, the study will involve around 4,000 students aged 12 to 15.

Findings are expected to provide deeper insight into how social media influences anxiety, sleep, relationships, and overall well-being, supporting policymakers in shaping future online safety measures instead of relying on limited evidence.

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Social media linked to declining well-being among young people

The World Happiness Report 2026 has identified a growing decline in well-being among young people, with increased social media use emerging as a key contributing factor. These findings suggest that digital habits are increasingly shaping life satisfaction, particularly across Western societies.

The report notes that younger age groups now report significantly lower happiness levels compared to previous decades.

In regions such as North America and Western Europe, the decline coincides with a sharp rise in time spent on social media platforms. Researchers highlight that heavy usage is associated with measurable reductions in well-being, especially among younger users.

Alongside these trends, the report continues to rank Finland as the happiest country globally, reflecting broader stability in Nordic nations. However, such stability contrasts with emerging concerns about mental health and social outcomes in more industrialised regions, where digital environments are playing an increasingly influential role.

While the report identifies risks including cyberbullying, depression and online exploitation, it does not advocate for complete restrictions. Instead, it emphasises the need for carefully designed regulatory approaches that balance protection with the potential benefits of digital connectivity.

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UK rejects social media ban for under-16s

A proposed social media ban for under-16s has been rejected by UK MPs, with 307 voting against and 173 in favour. The measure, introduced as an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, aimed to protect children from online harms.

Instead, the UK government secured support for giving ministers flexible powers, enforceable after a consultation on online safety concludes. The technology secretary, Liz Kendall, could limit social media access and VPN use, turn off addictive features, and raise the UK’s digital consent age.

Supporters of a full ban argued parents face an ‘impossible position’ managing online risks for their children. Campaigners, bereaved parents, and organisations such as Mumsnet and the National Education Union called for immediate action.

Critics, including the NSPCC, warned that a blanket ban could push teenagers towards unregulated online spaces.

The government consultation will examine minimum age requirements and the removal of features such as autoplay. MPs emphasised that any policy must balance safety with preparing children for responsible online engagement.

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Dutch court increases pressure on Meta over non-profiling social media feeds

A court in the Netherlands has increased potential penalties against Meta after ruling that changes to social media timelines must be implemented urgently.

The decision raises the potential fine for non-compliance from €5 million to €10 million if required adjustments are not applied to Facebook and Instagram feeds.

Judges at the Amsterdam Court of Appeals said users must be able to select a timeline that does not rely on profiling-based recommendations.

The ruling follows a legal challenge from the digital rights organisation Bits of Freedom, which argued that users who switched away from algorithmic feeds were automatically returned to them after navigating the platform or reopening the application.

The court concluded that the automatic resetting mechanism represents a deceptive design practice known as a ‘dark pattern’.

Such practices are prohibited under the EU’s Digital Services Act, which requires large online platforms to provide greater transparency and user control over recommendation systems.

Judges acknowledged that Meta had already introduced several technical changes, although not all required measures were fully implemented. The company must ensure that the non-profiling timeline option remains active once selected, rather than reverting to algorithmic recommendations.

The dispute also highlights regulatory tensions within the European framework. Before turning to the courts, Bits of Freedom submitted a complaint to Coimisiún na Meán, the national authority responsible for overseeing Meta’s compliance with the EU rules.

According to the organisation, the lack of progress from regulators encouraged legal action in Dutch courts.

Meta indicated that the company intends to challenge the decision and pursue further legal proceedings. The case could become an important test of how the Digital Services Act is enforced against major online platforms across Europe.

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Hackers can use AI to de-anonymise social media accounts

AI technology behind platforms like ChatGPT is making it significantly easier for hackers to identify anonymous social media users, a new study warns. LLMs could match anonymised accounts to real identities by analysing users’ posts across platforms.

Researchers Simon Lermen and Daniel Paleka warned that AI enables cheap, highly personalised privacy attacks, urging a rethink of what counts as private online. The study highlighted risks from government surveillance to hackers exploiting public data for scams.

Experts caution that AI-driven de-anonymisation is not flawless. Errors in linking accounts could wrongly implicate individuals, while public datasets beyond social media- such as hospital or statistical records- may be exposed to unintended analysis.

Users are urged to reconsider what information they share, and platforms are encouraged to limit bulk data access and detect automated scraping.

The study underscores growing concerns about AI surveillance. While the technology cannot guarantee complete de-anonymisation, its rapid capabilities demand stronger safeguards to protect privacy online.

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