The United Kingdom's proposal to ban social media access for teenagers has reignited a continent-wide debate, as governments from Paris to Athens face mounting pressure from parents and educators to shield children from online harms. The discussion now extends across the European Union and beyond, with France, Spain, Austria, Greece, and Denmark all weighing measures to restrict access for minors.
Concerns range from cyberbullying and addictive platform design to tragic outcomes including suicide and self-harm. A study by the WHO-backed Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) found that problematic social media use among adolescents increased from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022. The study defines problematic use through a behavioural scale measuring symptoms such as inability to cut back, neglecting other activities, and experiencing conflicts or negative consequences from time spent online.
Girls Bear the Brunt
Among 15-year-olds surveyed, the highest rates of problematic social media use were recorded in Romania, Ireland, and Malta. At the other end of the spectrum, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Estonia reported the lowest levels. Across all countries, girls reported significantly higher rates than boys—a gap particularly stark in Romania, where 28% of 15-year-old girls showed problematic use compared with 18% of boys. In Ireland, the figures were 25% and 13%, respectively.
Girls were also more likely to report constant online contact with friends: 44% of 15-year-old girls versus 29% of boys. According to the report, girls tend to be more socially connected online and may face a different virtual experience. Research has found that adolescent girls experience greater pressure over appearance and body dissatisfaction on social media than boys, and report slightly higher levels of cyberbullying.
The gender dimension is critical for policymakers. As European lawsuits accuse social media giants of harming children, the data suggests any effective regulation must account for how platforms affect girls differently.
Public Support for Bans Is High, but Evidence of Effectiveness Is Thin
Political backing for restrictions is strong. A YouGov survey published in April found that 79% of people in France supported banning social media for under-16s, alongside 76% in the UK, 74% in Germany, and 70% in Italy. Majorities also backed restrictions in Spain (68%) and Poland (53%). Among parents, support was even higher: 79% of those with children in Britain, Italy, and Spain favoured a ban.
Governments are responding. France's National Assembly has approved legislation restricting access for under-15s, while Spain has proposed raising the minimum age to 16. The UK's Prime Minister Starmer announced a social media ban for under-16s, adding momentum to the debate.
Yet many proposals face legal and practical hurdles. Effective age-verification systems remain elusive, and under EU-wide rules, national governments cannot simply force platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat to block under-16s overnight. The European Commission is watching closely, as any national law must comply with the Digital Services Act, which sets harmonised rules for online platforms.
The debate also highlights a tension between protecting children and preserving digital freedoms. Critics argue that bans may drive teens to unregulated spaces or prove ineffective without robust enforcement. As Europe moves toward potential restrictions, the evidence base remains limited—and the impact on girls, who are most affected, will be a key test of any policy's success.
