Mauritania is preparing to strengthen the protection of minors on social media. The government is preparing a national framework that would set rules for social media platforms. The measure, adopted by the Council of Ministers last week, also provides for several restrictions aimed at limiting children’s exposure to digital risks.
Among the proposed measures is the disabling of recommendation algorithms for minors, as well as the default disabling of infinite scrolling and autoplay of content. The framework also provides for a ban on targeted advertising to minors and the blocking of messages from unknown users.
The authorities are also considering regulating live broadcasts and access to platforms during the night. These measures will be accompanied by an awareness program on digital risks, as well as a reporting and support mechanism for children exposed to dangerous content or behavior online.
Several African Countries Strengthen Their Measures
Mauritania is not the only African country considering restrictions on minors’ access to social media.
In Gabon, an ordinance adopted in February 2026 set the age of digital majority at 16. It prohibits children under 16 from creating accounts on social media and certain other digital platforms, with exceptions notably for educational, cultural and scientific services. Platforms also have twelve months to implement age-verification mechanisms for new registrations.
Other initiatives are underway across the continent. Rwanda is working on a framework also targeting children under 16, while Senegal and Nigeria are considering various measures relating in particular to age restrictions, identity verification and the responsibility of digital platforms.
The African Union Pushes for Better Protection of Children Online
These national initiatives are part of a broader continental trend. In 2024, the African Union adopted its Child Online Safety and Empowerment Policy, a framework designed to support member states in strengthening the protection of children in the digital environment.
This policy is not limited to the issue of the minimum age for accessing platforms. It also recommends strengthening legislation, better protection of children’s data and identity, greater accountability for technology companies, the development of digital education, as well as the establishment of reporting and support mechanisms.
The issue is all the more important as children’s exposure to digital risks is increasing. A study by the Disrupting Harm program, conducted in 13 countries in Africa and Southeast Asia, indicated that up to 20% of 12- to 17-year-olds surveyed had experienced some form of online sexual abuse during the twelve months preceding the survey. However, this figure does not constitute a continental average, as the results vary depending on the countries studied.
In Mauritania, the framework still needs to move from announcement to implementation. A commission bringing together several government departments as well as agencies responsible for civil registration and data protection must notably define the technical and legal procedures for age verification and the other planned measures.