The European Union is preparing to introduce common age restrictions for children's access to social media, with the European Commission expected to present a legislative proposal after the summer. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the plan after receiving recommendations from an expert panel, describing it as the bloc's most ambitious effort yet to strengthen online protections for minors.
The recommendations call for a gradual, age-based approach to children's use of digital platforms. Under the proposal, children younger than three should not be exposed to screens at all, while those under 13 would only be allowed limited access to social media under the supervision of parents, caregivers, or teachers and for restricted periods. As children grow older, access would gradually expand through a phased system based on age.
"It is very clear that we need age-appropriate restrictions to platforms. This is not about whether children can access social media. It is about whether and when social media can access our children," von der Leyen said. She added that the Commission intends to determine which online services pose the greatest risks to minors, noting that social media platforms are the primary concern but that other digital services with addictive or age-inappropriate features may also fall under the future rules.
