Australia bans social media for under-16s, and France tried to do so for under-15s. In Morocco, the issue gained momentum in October 2026, as children's internet use rises sharply. No specific law exists yet. What does the law provide today, which proposals are on the table, and what can parents do right now?
The figures behind the debate
Several recent studies shed light on Moroccan minors online:
- According to a survey by the ANRT (the telecoms regulator), conducted in January and February 2025, internet use by children rose from 50.1% in 2019 to 67% in 2024.
- In a 2024 opinion, the CESE (Economic, Social and Environmental Council) noted that more than 97% of minors use social media and pointed to the lack of specific regulation.
- A Kaspersky and CMRPI study of September 2026 on 10 to 16 year olds found that 44.9% own a smartphone, 42.4% share one, and 21.1% of parents report an online incident.
No specific law, but proposals
Morocco currently has no ban on social media for minors and no minimum age set by law. In February 2026, a parliamentary question addressed the case of under-15s.
The programme of the Istiqlal party, now part of the governing majority, proposes a law banning social media and dangerous games for under-15s, as well as banning smartphones in primary schools. This is a political proposal, not an adopted text: no new rule applies until a law has been passed and published.
What other countries do
In France, a law adopted on 21 July 2026 was meant to ban social media for under-15s. That ban was struck down by the Conseil constitutionnel (Constitutional Council) on 14 August 2026. The law promulgated on 24 August 2026 keeps the ban on phones in lycées (upper secondary schools).
In Australia, social media has been banned for under-16s since 10 December 2025. These foreign rules do not apply in Morocco, but they feed the debate and show the legal difficulties of a general ban.
Tools in existing Moroccan law
Morocco has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Law 09-08 on personal data protection generally requires the consent of the legal representative for processing a minor's data. The CNDP (the data protection authority) oversees compliance with this law.
The Penal Code punishes many acts that can be committed online. The new Code of Criminal Procedure (Law 03.23), in force since 8 December 2025, strengthens tools against cybercrime and the protection of children online.
What parents can do now
In the absence of a specific law, protection relies on guidance and on existing remedies. Our advice: if a problem arises, act quickly and keep evidence.
- Set up the child's accounts and devices, and talk about them with the child.
- Keep evidence of problematic content or messages (screenshots, links, dates).
- Report the content to the platform and request its removal.
- Refer the matter to the CNDP if the child's data is misused.
- File a complaint with the police or the public prosecutor when the facts may amount to an offence.
Sources
- Médias24, 13 October 2026: « Réseaux sociaux et mineurs : le Maroc doit-il envisager une interdiction ? »
- Le360, 17 December 2025: « Code de procédure pénale : dix nouveautés majeures pour renforcer les droits du citoyen »
Maître Mouad Lahfaia
Lawyer at the Rabat Bar
This article reflects the author's views as at the date of publication. It does not constitute legal advice and is no substitute for an analysis of your particular situation.