Warsaw: Poland has proposed a social media ban for children under the age of 15, placing responsibility on technology platforms to enforce age verification rules. The draft legislation has been presented by the ruling Civic Coalition and could come into force by early 2027.
Education Minister Barbara Nowacka has told Bloomberg News that the government intends to hold companies accountable if minors gain access to social media platforms. Fines are being considered for firms that fail to comply, although the size of penalties remains under discussion.
Nowacka has stated that, “we see the mental health of children and young people, we see a decline in their intellectual competence,” highlighting growing concerns within Poland over the impact of digital platforms on minors. The proposed social media ban aims to address those issues by introducing stricter safeguards for younger users.
The initiative aligns Poland with several European governments that have examined similar measures. Denmark, Greece, France, Spain and Britain have all explored restrictions amid concerns that social media services may be harmful or addictive for children. The British government has indicated it is considering further steps to protect young people online, while Australia implemented comparable laws in December.
If enacted, Poland’s legislation could create friction with major United States technology companies such as Meta and Elon Musk’s X. Some of these firms have resisted tighter regulations, particularly following Australia’s move to limit access for minors.
The proposed social media ban reflects a broader debate across Europe over balancing child protection with digital freedoms. As discussions continue, the Polish government has signalled that protecting children’s wellbeing remains the central priority of the planned law.
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