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Not suitable for minors: Italy accelerates law banning social media for those under 15.

Italy decides to ban social media for those under 15; understand how the block will work.

Italy is moving forward with a law that bans social media for children under 15.
Italy is moving forward with a law that bans social media for children under 15.

The Italian Senate resumed debate on the drafting of the law this Wednesday (08). (ddl) "Protection of minors in the digital dimension." The proposal, which has bipartisan support, aims to establish a clear limit: Social media and video platforms are only for those who are 15 years old or older.

What does the new law stipulate?

Unlike previous recommendations, the new text is mandatory and brings drastic changes:

  • Account blocking: Minors under the age of 15 would be prohibited from creating profiles. Existing accounts would be deleted, unless the young person has already reached the age limit when the law comes into effect.
  • Identity verification: The government is ruling out the use of biometrics (as in Australia), but plans to use a “mini-national portfolio” integrated with the European Union’s digital identity system to validate the user’s real age.
  • "Limited" cell phones: Parental controls should force minors' devices to operate only with basic functions: emergency calls, SMS and limited messaging services, blocking dangerous content.

European wave: Greece and Italy on the same path.

The Italian movement gains momentum on the same day that the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, announced an identical law: there, the ban will take effect in January 2027. The Italian Minister of Education, Giuseppe Valditara, described the measure as... "urgent" to protect young people from the "dark web" and social isolation.

The debate: education or prohibition?

Despite the consensus on the dangers of digital technology, the opposition criticizes the measure. Barbara Floridia (M5SHe states that simply prohibiting something is a "useless shortcut" if there is no investment in digital education in schools. "Without training, every ban is just a facade," he declared.

Summary of proposed changes

RuleHow it should work
Minimum ageYou must be at least 15 years old to have an account on social media.
VerificationVia the European digital identity card.
PunishmentBig Tech companies have a responsibility to prevent minors from accessing the system.
Parental controlRequired to limit smartphones to basic functions.

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