Cyprus Cabinet Plans Social Media Ban Under 15
Cyprus Cabinet Plans Social Media Ban Under 15
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Key Points
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The government said online protection cannot depend solely on platform self-regulation or on the individual responsibility of children and parents, arguing that international experience supports a regulatory approach.
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The education pillar would gradually restructure curricula at all education levels to include safe and creative internet use, while also updating the Informatics curriculum in secondary and technical education.
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The plan calls for training all teachers in safe and creative internet use, with additional specialised training for teachers in secondary technical and vocational education, as well as for counselling and vocational-guidance staff.
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The public consultation is to be conducted through the government’s “Voice of the Citizen” platform, alongside organised dialogue with youth organisations and other relevant bodies.
Cyprus's Cabinet approved an action plan on Tuesday to ban social media access for anyone under 15 years old. The government will hold public consultations before pushing the legislation through parliament in December. Market Screener reports that Cyprus joins a growing global movement—from Australia to Europe—to restrict minors' social media use due to health and safety concerns.
The policy targets platforms where users create profiles and post publicly. Companies would be required to verify ages using a reliable system. Cyprus's government argues that 98% of young people—the highest rate in the EU—already use social media, making regulation essential to address addictive behavior and weak critical thinking skills.
Why Cyprus Decided Regulation Over Self-Policing
The government stated that platforms cannot be trusted to police themselves. Parent supervision alone is not enough, officials said. International examples show that legal requirements work better than voluntary compliance. Cyprus argues that without hard rules, young people will keep facing risks from addictive design and misinformation.
How Age Verification Will Work Without Sharing Data
Cyprus plans to use a digital verification tool based on European Commission standards. The system will integrate into the Digital Citizen app. Users prove their age without handing over extra personal information. This approach protects privacy while blocking access for children under 15 to major social platforms.
A Bigger Plan: Fixing How Schools Teach Internet Safety
The age ban is just one part of a larger strategy. Cyprus will redesign school curricula at all levels to teach safe and creative internet use. Teachers will receive mandatory training. Secondary and vocational educators will get specialized instruction. Counselors and career advisors will also participate in the education push.
Public Input and Youth Voices Shape the Final Law
Before parliament votes in December, the government will gather feedback through its "Voice of the Citizen" platform. Youth organizations and other groups will have their say. The Cabinet also ordered a child-rights impact assessment to check for unintended consequences. This broad consultation means the final rule may change before lawmakers vote.
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