European Commission plans to limit children’s access to social media

The European Commission will propose new rules limiting children’s access to social media across the EU later this year, per Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The move follows recommendations from an expert panel tasked with finding ways to better protect minors from online harms.

Under the recommendations, children under 13 would only be allowed limited, supervised access to social media. Restrictions would gradually ease as they get older, however.

The panel also called for platforms to prove they’re safe for young users before granting access, shifting more responsibility onto tech companies rather than parents.

The EU isn’t the first to move in this direction. Australia became the first country to enforce a nationwide ban on social media for children under 16 last year, while France, Greece, and several other European countries have either approved or are considering similar age-based restrictions. Outside Europe, governments in the UK, Canada, and elsewhere are also weighing tougher rules aimed at protecting children online.

Von der Leyen said the Commission will unveil its proposal after the summer, with legislation expected to be presented during her State of the Union address in September.

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