• A simple ban is neither rational nor realistic. I oppose a one-size-fits-all approach, because it deprives adolescents of access to the latest science and technological information.
• In the digital age, young people will be left behind if denied access to technology. We should focus on teaching critical thinking and judgment.
• The proposal is on the right track, but implementation is a huge challenge. How can platforms verify age accurately? If ID checks or facial recognition are required, how do we protect minors' privacy?
Source: Sina Weibo
Fang Yan, National People's Congress (NPC) delegate and director of Beijing Jincheng Tongda & Neal (Xi'an) Law Firm: "The intention behind the prohibition is understandable, but it does not match China's actual conditions. Instead of isolating children from the cyber world, a more practical approach is to build a protective network through refined management, clear allocation of responsibilities and technological safeguards."
Source: China Youth Daily
Sun Hongyan, Researcher at the China Youth & Children Research Center: "This ban could deprive teenagers from underprivileged families of access to knowledge, increase social isolation and undermine educational equity."
Source: People's Daily
Yang Xiaohong, secretary-general of the Youth Media Literacy Branch of the China Education Society:"Looking back at the history of technological development, every new invention has sparked concerns about children's use of new media. We should trust our children and trust ourselves to meet the challenges posed by new technologies with wisdom and courage."
Source: People's Daily
During the annual two sessions in March 2026, a proposal to prohibit children and teens under 16 from using social media ignited intense online discussion. On March 3, Yu Benhong, chairman of Kede Numerical Control and a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), suggested establishing 16 as the "digital age of majority," the minimum age at which young people could legally register for and use social platforms.
Yu argued that parental supervision alone cannot address the systemic risks posed by platform algorithms. "On the surface, it's about minors' weak self-control and limited parental guidance. At a deeper level, it's a fundamental conflict between commercial platforms' algorithm-driven recommendation mechanisms, which aim to maximize traffic, and the psychological development of juveniles," Yu told China Youth Daily.
The proposal reflects a stark reality: The number of minor internet users in China exceeds 196 million, with an internet penetration rate of 97.3 percent, according to a 2024 report released by the Communist Youth League Central Committee.
The proposal has fueled fierce debate online. Supporters argue that a digital fence is necessary to protect minors from excessive screen time, claiming that even an imperfect ban is preferable to risking a generation's mental health. Opponents counter that a one-size-fits-all prohibition ignores teenagers' normal digital needs and developmental rights. Some warn that such a ban could drive online activity underground, making monitoring even harder.
Other countries have faced similar concerns over teen internet addiction. In December 2025, Australia implemented the world's first ban on children under 16 using social media. In January 2026, French lawmakers took steps to ban social media for minors under 15.
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