Giorgia Meloni rejects calls for an under-16 social media ban

A growing number of governments are moving toward stricter rules for children’s social media use, but Italy is choosing a different path. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has rejected calls to introduce a ban on social media for children under 16, creating a new divide in Europe’s debate over online safety.

Meloni said she is not opposed to the idea of restrictions in principle, but she doubts that a ban by itself would solve the problems linked to social media use among minors. Instead, she believes young users would easily find ways around the rules.

Meloni says bans can be easily avoided

Speaking at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, the Italian leader argued that social media bans can be circumvented without much difficulty. Her comments put her government on a different course from Britain and France, both of which are pursuing tougher age-based restrictions.

Meloni said governments should focus more on pushing technology companies to take responsibility for protecting children online. In her view, platform cooperation is essential if any safety measures are going to work.

Her government currently has no plans to introduce legislation forcing a nationwide social media ban.

Italy’s position could complicate an EU-wide effort

Several political parties in Italy have introduced bills calling for restrictions on social media use by minors, but none have become law. By rejecting an immediate ban, Rome has become one of the most influential voices in Europe, arguing against the policy.

The position could create friction with the European Union’s leadership. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has suggested that an EU-wide social media ban for children could be proposed as early as this summer.

Italy’s opposition may make those efforts more difficult because large member states often carry significant influence during negotiations over bloc-wide legislation.

Other countries are moving in the opposite direction

Britain recently announced plans to introduce a social media ban for under-16s, although critics have questioned how the proposal would be enforced. France is also implementing restrictions for users under 15 later this year after President Emmanuel Macron embraced a model first introduced in Australia.

Australia’s experience has become an important case study in the global debate. In March 2026, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner said gaps remained and opened investigations into potential non-compliance involving Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube.

That situation appears to support Meloni’s argument that government bans may have limited value if technology companies do not actively cooperate.

Little-known fact: Australia became the first country to pass legislation setting a minimum age of 16 for social media use, making it a test case for governments considering similar restrictions.

Political divisions are shaping the debate

Support for social media age limits has cut across ideological lines, with left-leaning, centrist, conservative, and center-right governments all backing or considering different forms of restrictions. However, the issue has also attracted backing from some conservative and center-right governments.

Germany and Sweden are weighing age-based social media rules, Greece has moved toward an under-15 restriction, and Austria has announced plans for a minimum age of 14. The Netherlands has also pushed for a European-wide minimum age of 15, while Ireland has discussed under-16 restrictions as part of the wider European debate.

The differing approaches show that Europe is still struggling to find a common strategy for protecting young users online.

Technology and enforcement remain major hurdles

Critics of social media bans frequently argue that age restrictions are difficult to enforce. Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, recently pointed to virtual private networks, or VPNs, as an example of how young users could bypass national restrictions.

Farage instead suggested offering children devices with limited features rather than trying to block access entirely. His comments echo a broader concern that technology often moves faster than government regulations.

Questions about age verification, privacy, and enforcement have become some of the biggest obstacles facing lawmakers around the world.

A bigger battle over who is responsible for children’s safety online

The debate surrounding social media bans is no longer simply about age limits. It has become a larger argument over who should bear responsibility for protecting children in digital spaces.

Meloni’s comments suggest that governments alone cannot solve the issue through legislation. Instead, she believes online platforms must play a much bigger role in reducing risks for younger users.

As more countries consider restrictions and technology companies face increasing pressure, Europe is entering a new phase of the battle over children’s online safety.

The social media debate is far from settled

Italy’s decision not to follow Britain and France shows that there is still no global consensus on how to regulate young people’s access to social media. Some governments see age bans as a necessary protection, while others fear the measures may prove ineffective without stronger cooperation from the technology industry.

For now, Meloni’s position ensures that Europe’s push toward tighter restrictions will remain a contentious and evolving debate.

TL;DR

• Giorgia Meloni has said her government will not introduce its own proposal for an under-16 social media ban.
• She believes bans can be easily circumvented without platform cooperation.
• Britain and France are moving ahead with their own restrictions.
• Italy’s position may complicate efforts for an EU-wide policy.
• The debate highlights growing divisions over how to protect children online.

This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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