Flanders introduces minimum age of 13 for “harmful social media”
The Flemish government is introducing a statutory age limit of 13 for social media that could be harmful to minors. Currently, the age limit for creating an account is already 13, but this rule is often circumvented and there is no enforcement. The Flemish government now wants to use a decree to compel platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat to implement age verification.
As in many parts of the world, there has long been a debate in Flanders about the risks and dangers of social media for young people. On social media, young people are exposed to harmful content, unsafe interactions, addictive algorithms and disinformation, amongst other things.
Politically, opinions are somewhat divided. The governing parties Vooruit and CD&V advocated for a minimum age of 15 or 16, as recently introduced in Australia. However, the governing party N-VA opposed such a total ban.
In the “Safe Online” action plan, which was approved at the end of 2025, it had already been agreed not to introduce a ban until the age of 16, but to compel social media companies to better protect young people, including through proper age verification up to the age of 13 and by discontinuing addictive algorithms that lead to endless scrolling.
Now the Flemish government is taking the next step. The government is clearly setting the age limit at 13 and intends to enforce it. Specifically, the government plans to draw up a list of “harmful social media”. The platforms concerned will then be expected to provide effective age verification.
The intention is also for the Flemish Media Regulator, together with the European Commission, to play a role in monitoring compliance with the age limit. “In this way, we are turning the current age limit of 13 into a genuine, enforceable standard,” stated media minister Cieltje Van Achter of N-VA. In principle, fines can be imposed at the European level. If no changes are made, the platforms could ultimately be taken offline.
Minister Van Achter also refers to recent studies and even court rulings on the addictive aspects of online platforms. Platforms such as Facebook and TikTok are being held liable for the first time for the way their products are designed.
"For too long, Big Tech has looked the other way. We will no longer accept that"
“The trend is clear: more and more people are deeply concerned about the impact these platforms have on our society, and in particular on our children,” declared minister Van Achter. “Social media must become safer for everyone. For too long, Big Tech has looked the other way. We will no longer accept that. You either comply with the rules of our market, you protect our children, or you are out of the game.”
#FlandersNewsService | Flemish media minister Cieltje Van Achter © PHOTO Werner Lerooy / BELGIAN_FREELANCE