Vietnam's Youth Social Media Ban
Vietnam Proposes Rules Banning Under-16s from Social Media Posts, Citing Online Safety
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Vietnam wants to stop children under 16 from posting, commenting, or reacting to anything on social media, according to a draft decree reviewed by Reuters. The proposal would make parents or legal guardians legally responsible for their child's account — including what content the child sees and how long they spend online.
The move puts Vietnam alongside a growing list of countries trying to limit how much children can do on social media platforms. Australia, the United Kingdom, and others have already passed or proposed similar restrictions.
What the Proposed Rules Would Actually Require
Under the draft decree, social media accounts for users under 16 must be registered using a parent's or guardian's information, according to Reuters. That adult would then be responsible for supervising both the content their child views and the total time spent on the platform.
Platforms would also have to use technical tools to detect child users automatically. They would need to give child accounts the highest level of privacy protection available. Companies would also be required to proactively block content related to violence, pornography, gambling, drugs, suicide, and other harmful material, according to Market Screener.
Children Cannot Post, Comment, or React Under the Plan
The ban is sweeping. Kids under 16 would not be allowed to post content, leave comments, or even react to posts — such as liking or sharing them. This effectively makes social media a read-only experience for younger users, 740 The Fan reported.
Social media companies operating in Vietnam would have to build and enforce these restrictions using their own systems. The burden of verifying age and managing access falls on the platforms themselves, not just on parents.
Vietnam Joins a Global Push to Protect Kids Online
The proposal reflects growing worldwide concern about social media's impact on children's mental health. Countries across Europe, as well as Australia and the United States, have been pushing for stricter rules on how platforms can engage with younger users, according to WHBL.
Australia passed a law in late 2024 banning children under 16 from social media entirely. Vietnam's approach is slightly different — children can still have accounts and view content, but they cannot participate or interact publicly.
What Happens Next for the Draft Decree
The decree is still in draft form, meaning it has not yet become law. Vietnamese authorities would need to finalize and publish the rules before platforms are required to comply. No enforcement date has been announced publicly yet, according to Reuters.
Major platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube — all widely used in Vietnam — would be directly affected. Vietnam has roughly 78 million internet users, making it one of Southeast Asia's largest social media markets.
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