HANOI, Vietnam – Vietnam is proposing new rules that would prevent children under the age of 16 from posting content, commenting, or reacting on social media platforms, according to a draft law reviewed by Reuters, as governments worldwide tighten regulations to protect young users online.
Under the proposed regulations, social media accounts for users under 16 would have to be registered using the details of a parent or legal guardian, who would be responsible for supervising the child’s online activity and screen time.
The draft law would also require social media companies to implement technical measures to identify child users and ensure they are only exposed to age-appropriate content. “The main objective is not to ban or excessively restrict children’s access to social media, but to ensure that when they use these services, they are in an age-appropriate environment and protected from harmful risks,” Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Culture said. Platforms would also be required to apply the highest level of privacy protection to children’s accounts and detect, warn against, and block access to content involving violence, pornography, gambling, drugs, suicide, and other harmful material.
The proposal reflects growing concern among governments over online safety and the impact of social media and harmful content on children’s mental health. Last week, French lawmakers approved a ban on social media access for children under 15, while Australia has already enacted similar legislation, with several other countries considering comparable measures. The draft also introduces new restrictions on online gaming for minors. Game providers would be required to verify users’ ages, register accounts for children under 16 through parents or legal guardians, and limit playtime to no more than 60 minutes per day for games offered by the same company. Reuters reported that the draft legislation has not yet been finalized and may be revised before it is officially adopted.
While the proposal applies only to Vietnam, it is likely to draw attention across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, where concerns over children’s online safety, cyberbullying, and excessive social media use have also been growing. As more countries introduce stricter regulations for young users, Thailand could face increasing pressure to consider similar safeguards in the future.
