Full Breakdown

Vietnam Draft Decree Targets Under-16 Social Media Interaction and Gaming

7/24/2026, 8:42:08 PM

Core Proposal

On July 24, Vietnamese authorities disclosed a draft decree that would prohibit users under 16 from posting, commenting, or reacting on social-media platforms. The decree also requires any under-16 account to be registered with a parent or legal guardian’s identification, making the adult responsible for supervising content and screen time. In parallel, the draft obliges game operators to verify ages and limit daily gameplay for under-16 users to 60 minutes per day across titles from the same publisher. The measures are not yet finalized and may be revised before adoption.

Vietnam’s initiative follows a wave of international regulations aimed at protecting minors online. France enacted a law banning social-media access for those under 15, scheduled for 2026. The United Arab Emirates prohibited under-15 accounts, the United Kingdom proposed similar bans for under-16s, and Turkey passed a comprehensive digital law covering both social media and gaming. Australia imposed a full ban on under-16 accounts in late 2024, prompting other jurisdictions to consider stricter age-gate mechanisms.

The draft specifies a 60-minute daily gaming limit for children under 16 when playing games provided by the same company. It also calls for platforms to employ technical measures to identify child users and to block content involving violence, pornography, gambling, drugs, suicide and other harmful material. Eighteen countries have taken official steps, submitted bills, or begun planning to restrict children’s social-media use. Meta cited a 120-day deadline for account closures as part of the proposal, arguing it is insufficient for large-scale technical changes.

Deputy culture minister Phan Tam emphasized that the goal is to ensure an age-appropriate environment that shields children from inappropriate risks. Le Quang Tu Do, head of Vietnam’s Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information, said the proposal is based on research linking cyberbullying to mental-health impacts and online scams. Representatives from the U.S.–ASEAN Business Council highlighted the educational and social benefits of social media for children, urging a balanced approach.

While the draft outlines a 120-day deadline for account closures, Meta contends that this timeframe is unrealistic for implementing the necessary technical changes. No official response from the Vietnamese government has been published regarding this specific concern, leaving the feasibility of the deadline uncertain.

The draft decree remains under review and may be amended based on feedback from industry stakeholders, civil-society groups, and international partners. No definitive implementation schedule has been announced, and the final version will need to be formally adopted before any enforcement measures take effect.