Teens, Social Media and Mental Health: Age Laws and Evidence — 2026-09-19
The European Commission has unveiled the "EU Kids Act," proposing a blanket ban on social media for children under 13 and strict restrictions for those under 15. In the US, a bipartisan House bill introduced this week seeks to prohibit social media accounts for all users under 16, while France submits a revised legislative proposal to Brussels after its initial ban was struck down by its Constitutional Council.
Teens, Social Media and Mental Health: Age Laws and Evidence — 2026-09-19
Top developments
EU Unveils "Kids Act" with Under-13 Social Media Ban
On September 16, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the "EU Kids Act," which proposes banning children under 13 from accessing social media, online games, and AI chatbots. For users aged 13 to 15, the act introduces a "graduated" restriction system, including mandatory age verification and bans on "addictive" features like infinite scrolls and gamified rewards. The legislation also mandates that platforms investigate rule breaches within 90 days, signaling a shift toward fast-track enforcement.
US House Introduces Bill to Ban Under-16 Accounts
On September 11, 2026, two US House members introduced a bipartisan bill that would prohibit social media accounts for users under 16. The legislation requires covered platforms to terminate any accounts identified as belonging to minors under this age threshold. This federal move aligns with existing state-level efforts in California and other states, creating a potential patchwork of age-verification laws if passed.
France Submits Revised Plan to Brussels After Constitutional Censure
Following the French Constitutional Council's decision to censor parts of its earlier under-15 social media ban, President Emmanuel Macron’s government submitted a new legislative text to Brussels on September 14. The revised proposal aims to comply with both French and European law while still seeking to restrict access for those under 15. The new plan emphasizes cooperation with EU standards to avoid further legal challenges, focusing on platform obligations rather than just direct user bans.
South Korea Debates Effectiveness of Global SNS Bans
As global restrictions tighten, South Korean media is closely monitoring the efficacy of laws in countries like Australia and the EU. A recent report from Maeil Business Newspaper highlights that while over 40 countries are considering or have passed age-based restrictions, enforcement remains a significant hurdle due to easy workarounds. Domestic debate continues regarding whether Korea should follow suit with stricter age verification or focus on educational interventions.
Local view
In France, Le Monde and Le Figaro are dissecting the technical definitions of "addictive features" in the new EU Kids Act. Le Figaro notes that the EU proposal specifically targets "filter bubbles," gamification, and social rewards as mechanisms deemed harmful to minors' mental health. Meanwhile, Touteleurope.eu emphasizes the "puzzle" nature of enforcing these rules across borders, noting that without harmonized age-verification standards across the EU, national bans remain difficult to enforce effectively.
Context & numbers
- Age Thresholds: The EU proposal sets a hard ban at under 13, with graduated restrictions for 13–15. The proposed US House bill sets the ban at under 16.
- Enforcement Timeline: The EU Kids Act requires platforms to complete investigations into reported breaches within 90 days.
- Global Spread: Over 40 countries are currently considering or have implemented some form of social media restriction for minors, according to Korean media analysis of global trends.
On the radar
- French Parliamentary Vote: The French National Assembly is expected to vote on the revised under-15 ban bill in the coming weeks, which will test the viability of the "Macron workaround" post-constitutional censure.
- US Legislative Momentum: Watch for co-sponsors of the new US House bill; bipartisan support could accelerate committee hearings in October.
- Australian Review: Australia’s eSafety Commissioner is preparing for the independent review of its under-16 ban, which must be initiated by December 2027 (two years after implementation), but early compliance data is already influencing global policy debates.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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