Meta Platforms faces growing regulatory pressure in Europe as more countries consider banning social media services for minors. Spain proposed a ban, following a policy first implemented in Australia. France, the UK, and Portugal also weigh similar restrictions. These restrictions target platforms including Instagram and Facebook.
The movement threatens access to millions of young users. It also threatens the critical advertising revenue these users generate. Tech companies cite concerns that enforcement is complex. They warn that bans could require users to share sensitive data for age verification. Furthermore, companies argue the restrictions might inadvertently drive minors to less secure platforms.