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Posting information on the internet through blogging, joining in forum discussions or online multiplayer games is now considered "public disclosure of information".
There are concerns that British Army personnel may inadvertently disclose confidential information.
However, the move has angered troops who regularly use networking sites to keep in touch with family and friends.
An NCO in Afghanistan told The Sun: "The fun police have taken over. I can't talk to my wife and kids or even play Call of Duty 5. Do they really think we're going to give away secrets?"
Another soldier said: "It's the most offensive thing I've ever heard. We're prepared to die for the country and are treated like children.
"I am going to ignore it. A lot of the lads are going to do the same."
Even officers are not exempt from the rule.
Generals who wish to talk with the media is now advised to ask permission of a Government minister.
It is also believed that Ministry of Defence officials want to stop criticism of defence policy on military chat forums like the Army Rumour Service.
The order, titled Contact With The Media and Communicating In Public, was issued on February 4.
British Armed Forces Federation spokesman Adrian Weale told The Sun: "You can't treat service personnel like children. They are in the front-line of the war against terrorism but the MoD doesn't trust them to behave responsibly online."
However, an MoD spokesman said the guidelines were not an outright ban.
He said: "Of course soldiers are allowed to go on Facebook and contribute to blogs.
"But we need to ensure sensitive information is not inadvertently placed in the public domain. A routine instruction has merely been refreshed and reissued."
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