Vietnam is planning to restrict users under the age of 16 from posting, commenting and reacting on social media platforms, according to foreign media reports.

A draft decree reviewed by Reuters states that social media accounts of children under 16 must be registered using information provided by parents or legal guardians.

The proposed regulations would also require parents or guardians to monitor the content viewed by children and the amount of time they spend on social media platforms.

Social media companies would be required to implement technical measures to identify child users and ensure that only age-appropriate content is provided to them.

Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Culture Phan Tam said the main objective is not to completely ban or excessively restrict children’s use of social media, but to ensure they are protected from online risks within an age-appropriate environment.

Vietnam is also proposing new restrictions on online gaming under the draft regulations.

Accordingly, video game operators would be required to verify users’ ages, while accounts belonging to users under 16 must be registered through parents or guardians.

The proposed rules also state that children under 16 should be limited to playing games provided by the same company for no more than 60 minutes per day.

Reuters reported that the draft decree has not yet been finalised and may be amended before approval.