Mauritania proposes new social media regulations to protect minors

The Mauritanian government is proposing new measures to strengthen the protection of children and adolescents on social media. Approved by the Council of Ministers on September 16, the plan aims to establish a national regulatory framework for minors' access to digital platforms.

Key proposals include setting a minimum age of 16 for accessing digital platforms, with parental consent required for 15-year-olds. To mitigate online risks, the government intends to disable certain features for minors, such as recommendation algorithms, infinite scrolling, and autoplay. Additionally, the measures propose banning targeted advertising, blocking messages from unknown users, limiting live broadcasts, and implementing nightly silence hours.

The initiative also includes a national awareness program for children, families, and educators regarding safe internet use, alongside a reporting mechanism for minors exposed to violence or exploitation. The government is currently preparing a formal framework law on online minor protection.