SECURITYVietnam Plans Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Under-16s Face Social Media Posting Ban in Vietnam

Vietnam is planning to force social media platforms to ban users under 16 from posting content, commenting, or reacting to posts. The draft decree, reviewed by Reuters, aims to ensure children use social media in an age-appropriate environment and protect them from inappropriate risks. This move aligns with a growing international effort by governments to enhance online safety and protect children’s mental health.

The proposed rules would require social media accounts belonging to children under 16 to be registered using the information of a parent or legal guardian, who would be responsible for supervising the content viewed and the amount of time spent on the platforms. Social media companies would also have to use technical measures to identify child users and ensure age-appropriate content distribution. The draft decree also requires platforms to provide the highest level of privacy protection for child accounts and to proactively detect, warn, and block access to content related to violence, pornography, gambling, drugs, suicide, and other harmful material.

Deputy Culture Minister Phan Tam stated that the primary objective is not to ban or excessively restrict children’s access to social media but to ensure they are placed in an age-appropriate environment and protected from inappropriate risks. This proposal reflects growing concern among governments worldwide about online safety and the impact of social media and harmful content on children’s mental health. Other countries, such as France and Australia, have also imposed bans or restrictions on social media access for minors.

To comply with the proposed rules, parents or legal guardians of children under 16 will need to register their child’s social media accounts using their own information. They will be responsible for supervising the content viewed and the amount of time spent on the platforms. Social media companies will need to implement technical measures to identify child users and ensure age-appropriate content distribution.

The proposed restrictions on online gaming for minors are also part of the draft decree. While the exact details of these restrictions are not specified, they aim to limit the amount of time minors spend on online gaming platforms.