Vietnam Proposes Social Media Ban for Minors Under 16
Vietnam has introduced a draft decree proposing a social media ban for users under 16 from posting or commenting, requiring parental registration and strict content moderation. The initiative follows similar global efforts by countries tightening digital safety regulations for minors.
Vietnam is preparing to implement new regulations that would prohibit children under 16 from posting content, commenting, or reacting on social media platforms. The proposed draft decree forms part of a broader international movement aimed at strengthening online child safety and mitigating the mental health risks associated with excessive digital consumption.
Proposed Social Media Restrictions for Minors
Under the draft guidelines, social media accounts belonging to individuals under 16 would require mandatory registration linked to the verifiable details of a parent or legal guardian. As per a report by Reuters, deputy culture minister Phan Tam noted that the framework is designed to cultivate an age-appropriate digital environment rather than completely sever access. Platforms would also be obligated to enforce advanced technical tools to detect and block harmful material involving violence, gambling, and substance abuse.
Online Gaming Limits and Global Context
In addition to social media boundaries, the regulatory proposal outlines strict operational limits for online gaming services. Game operators would need to verify user ages and restrict minors under 16 to a maximum of 60 minutes of daily playtime per provider. These developments align Vietnam with other nations globally, such as Australia and France, which have recently introduced or approved legislative bans targeting youth platform usage.
Regulatory Timeline and Next Steps
The published framework remains in a draft stage and is subject to further revisions before official adoption. If finalised, technology companies operating within the country will face substantial compliance requirements regarding age verification, data privacy, and active content moderation to protect adolescent users from digital harms.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 24, 2026 01:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
