Bulgaria considers social media restrictions for children

Bulgaria is considering restrictions on social media use for children as part of a broader effort to combat juvenile crime and antisocial behavior. Nataliya Efremova, the Minister of Labor and Social Policy, announced that officials are reviewing measures from both EU and non-EU nations to address these issues.

The proposal follows recent incidents of aggression involving minors, including a fatal attack on a 37-year-old in Plovdiv, where ten youths aged 14 to 17 were detained. Efremova noted that social media restrictions alone would be insufficient and that working groups are developing a wider package of legislative and organizational measures.

Starting in September, the government plans to expand the National Program for Violence Prevention for the 2027–2030 period. While previous policies focused on children as victims, new measures will also aim to prevent violence committed by minors. The government is also reviewing the effectiveness of local commissions responsible for addressing juvenile delinquency.