European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed restricting social media access for children under 13 across the European Union’s 27 member states. Speaking in Brussels, von der Leyen outlined a potential tiered approach based on an expert report that would limit young children to supervised social media use for restricted periods before gradually lifting curbs as teenagers age.
European Union Social Media Curbs and Expert Recommendations
According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the executive branch will review a formal paper authored by two experts recommending age-appropriate restrictions for online platforms. Von der Leyen stated that the initiative aims to establish a safer online environment rather than questioning whether minors encounter digital risks. The proposed framework targets social media platforms alongside other digital providers featuring age-inappropriate and addictive elements, described by von der Leyen as “social media plus.” Under the expert recommendations, children under 13 would only access these networks for limited periods under the direct supervision of parents, caregivers, and teachers.
Timeline for the EU Kids Act and Legislative Process
The European Commission plans to advance a concrete legislative proposal following the summer break. Von der Leyen indicated she is likely to officially announce the measure during her annual state of the union address in September. The push aligns with broader global regulatory efforts addressing youth digital consumption. Australia, Britain, China, India, and the United States have already implemented or are actively weighing various social media bans and age-verification mandates targeting major platforms like TikTok, Alphabet’s YouTube, and Meta’s Instagram and Facebook.
International Comparisons and Regulatory Approaches
In the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer announced plans for a social media ban covering certain platforms for teenagers under 16 by spring. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall acknowledged that the UK restrictions are not a complete solution but serve to reset social norms and clarify expectations for families. Furthermore, the UK government insists that implementing highly effective age-verification measures will establish a more robust framework than Australia’s established system.
Industry Response and Platform Safety Measures
Major technology companies have not immediately responded to emailed requests for comment regarding the European Commission’s proposals. Representatives for digital platforms maintain that existing safeguards already protect younger demographics through built-in age restrictions and safety tools. However, European regulators argue that voluntary industry measures fall short of protecting minors from addictive interface designs, prompting governments worldwide to mandate strict statutory age limits and verification protocols.
