Vietnam Considers Muting Social Media for Children Amid Global Trend
Vietnam is considering new regulations aimed at restricting children's social media activity, proposing users under the age of 16 be allowed on platforms but muted—unable to post, comment, or react. The draft decree from Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture requires accounts for minors to be registered by a parent and monitored accordingly. Platforms would also need technical measures to identify underage users and limit them to appropriate content. This move aligns with broader global efforts to regulate youth social media use, including Australia's ban on children under 16 using major platforms in December 2025. Other countries like France, Austria, Canada, and Denmark are also implementing or considering similar restrictions due to concerns over cyberbullying, addiction, mental health issues, and exposure to predators. While the goal is to create safer online environments for children, critics argue these measures may be ineffective and raise privacy concerns regarding age verification. Despite this, governments continue pushing forward with legislation.
Topics: government regulation social media Vietnam youth protection