Vietnam Drafts Decree Restricting Social Media for Under-16s

The Government of Vietnam is drafting a decree that would ban users under 16 from posting, commenting, or reacting on social media platforms. The proposal requires accounts for minors to be registered through a parent or legal guardian, who would then be responsible for supervising the child's online activity and screen time.

Under the draft, social media companies must implement technical measures to identify child users and ensure they encounter age-appropriate content. Platforms would be required to block harmful material related to drugs, gambling, pornography, and violence. The decree also targets the gaming industry by proposing a daily play limit of 60 minutes per company for users under 16.

Deputy Culture Minister Phan Tam stated on July 23 that the primary objective is to ensure children are placed in an age-appropriate environment and protected from inappropriate risks. The decree remains under review and has not yet been finalized.