Poland intends to ban access to social networks for children under 15 and to require digital platforms to verify the age of users, according to an announcement made by the Minister of Education, Barbara Nowacka, in an interview with Bloomberg, as reported by Reuters.
The bill, presented on Friday by the ruling Civic Coalition, provides for sanctions against platforms that allow minors below the established threshold. The legislation could come into force at the beginning of 2027.
"We observe the mental health of children and young people, we see a decline in their intellectual competence," said Barbara Nowacka, justifying the need for the measure.
The exact level of fines has not yet been determined and is still under discussion.
The initiative could put Warsaw in direct conflict with major American technology companies such as Meta or X, controlled by Elon Musk, which have criticized similar measures adopted in other states in the past.
Authorities' Argument: Children's Mental Health
The Polish authorities invoke the negative effects of social networks on the development of children and adolescents. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have reported a rise in cases of anxiety, depression, and digital dependency among minors.
In this context, the government in Warsaw argues that the responsibility for age verification should lie with the platforms, not with parents or children.
Which Other Countries Have Imposed or Are Planning Restrictions
Poland is not an isolated case. Several European and non-European countries have adopted or are considering similar measures.
Australia adopted a law in December that prohibits children under 16 from accessing social networks. Companies that do not comply with the rule risk substantial fines. The decision has generated critical reactions from major digital platforms.
In January, the United Kingdom government announced it is considering new restrictions to protect children online, in the context of enforcing digital safety legislation.
In France and Spain, discussions have taken place regarding minimum age limits and stricter mechanisms for verifying online identities.
Greece and Denmark have also explored solutions to reduce minors' exposure to content deemed harmful or addictive.
In Portugal, proposals have been put forward to ban minors from accessing social networks or to impose stricter filters for teenagers.
In Czech Republic, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš stated his support for banning social networks for children under 15, as more and more European countries are considering similar restrictions.
A New Confrontation Between Governments and Tech Giants
The wave of legislative initiatives shows a clear trend: governments are trying to shift the responsibility of protecting minors to major technological platforms.
While authorities cite children's mental health and safety, companies in the industry warn that strict age verification may raise issues related to data protection and freedom of expression.
If the law is adopted in its proposed form, Poland would become one of the strictest European countries in terms of limiting minors' access to social networks.