Poland plans to introduce new legislation that would prohibit children under 15 from using social media, a move aimed at protecting young people’s mental health and addressing concerns about online harm, Bloomberg News reports.
Education Minister Barbara Nowacka said the ruling Civic Coalition party will present a draft of the bill soon, with the law possibly taking effect by early 2027.
Under the proposal, social media platforms would be required to verify the ages of users and prevent those under 15 from accessing their services.
Companies that fail to enforce the restrictions could face significant fines, although the exact penalties are still under discussion. Nowacka highlighted worries about a decline in children’s cognitive skills and growing mental health challenges linked to excessive social media use.
The proposal follows similar efforts in other European countries such as Denmark, Greece, France, Spain and Britain, where governments are exploring restrictions on minors’ access to social networks amid concerns about addiction and online safety. Australia already implemented a comparable ban last year, and that move has influenced discussions in other nations.
Critics say the plan could put Warsaw at odds with major U.S. technology firms like Meta and X, which have previously resisted strict age-based restrictions. Supporters argue the legislation is necessary to shield children from harmful content and ensure their healthy development.
