Poland Proposes Social Media Ban For Children Under 15 Years

Poland is set to introduce legislation banning social media use for children under 15 years of age, with the draft bill expected to be presented by the ruling Civic Coalition on February 27, 2026. Education Minister Barbara Nowacka emphasized the government's concerns regarding the mental health of youth, stating, "We see the mental health of children and young people, we see a decline in their intellectual competence." The law aims to hold social media platforms accountable for age verification and will impose heavy fines for non-compliance, although the exact penalties are still under discussion. This initiative is part of a broader trend in Europe, where countries like Denmark, Greece, France, Spain, and the UK are considering similar restrictions to combat the perceived harmful effects of social media on minors. The law is projected to take effect by early 2027, potentially putting Poland at odds with major U.S. tech companies like Meta and X, which have opposed such regulations since Australia's implementation of similar laws in December 2025.