Vietnam is drafting regulations requiring social media platforms to bar users under 16 from posting content, commenting, or reacting to posts to create a safer environment for children online [1, 2, 3, 4]. Accounts for children under 16 must be registered with a parent or legal guardian who will oversee content and usage time [1, 2, 3, 4]. Platforms will have to implement technical measures to verify users’ ages and ensure they only see age-appropriate content [1, 2, 3, 4].
The draft decree also mandates the highest privacy protections for child accounts and orders platforms to block access to harmful content such as violence, pornography, gambling, drugs, and suicide-related material [1, 3, 4]. It proposes tight new restrictions on online gaming by minors, including verifying user age, parent registration for accounts under 16, and limiting gameplay to 60 minutes per day for each game company [1, 2, 3, 4].
Vietnam plans stronger age verification for social media and game accounts using authenticated phone numbers or personal ID numbers to reduce fake accounts and improve transparency [4]. Deputy Culture Minister Phan Tam said the goal is "not to ban or excessively restrict children’s access to social media, but rather to ensure... an age-appropriate environment and protection from inappropriate risks" [1].
The proposal follows global trends. Australia enacted a ban on under-16s holding social media accounts in December 2025 [2, 4]. French lawmakers approved a ban for children under 15 in July 2026 [1, 3, 4]. Vietnam held a consultation workshop on the draft decree on July 24, 2026, after Deputy Minister Phan Tam spoke publicly about the plan on July 23 [1, 3, 4].
The draft decree has not been finalized and may be revised before it is officially adopted [1, 2, 3].
