EU weighs sweeping restrictions on children's social media access
Meta already found in breach of EU Digital Services Act
The European Union is weighing sweeping new restrictions on children's and teenagers' access to social media, including age limits, an outright ban, and phased access, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has confirmed. Social media platforms could also be required to prove their services are not harmful before young people are permitted to use them, according to a post shared by von der Leyen on X.
Von der Leyen signals new legislation
Von der Leyen said the bloc's executive arm could propose new legislation within months, following a review of recommendations from a panel of experts released today. "This is not about whether children can access social media. It is about when social media can access our children," she said.
The expert panel recommended a phased approach to children's social media use, including "no screens at all" for children under three, supervised internet use for those under 13, and certain limits for older teenagers. It also said social media platforms should be required to prove their services are safe for younger users, an approach von der Leyen said she supports.
Von der Leyen confirmed that the Commission will consider the report and return with formal proposals "after the summer." Any resulting legislation would still require approval from the European Parliament and the EU's 27 member countries before becoming law across the bloc.
Part of a wider global push
A formal proposal from the EU would add significant momentum to global efforts to curb children's social media use, joining a growing list of proposals or active regulations in countries including the UK and Australia.
New rules would also increase pressure on platforms to demonstrate that their services are safe for younger users. A preliminary investigation in the EU last week already found Meta to be in breach of its Digital Services Act over the "addictive" design of Facebook and Instagram. A similar finding was also issued against TikTok earlier this year.