The European Union is considering new restrictions on children’s and teenagers’ access to social media. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says the initiative focuses on when platforms are allowed to reach children, not whether children can access the services at all. Multiple outlets report that the Commission is reviewing recommendations from an expert panel released recently, and could propose legislation within months, with von der Leyen indicating updates “after the summer.”
The recommendations include a phased approach based on age: no screens for children under 3, supervised internet use for those under 13, and additional limits for older teens. The proposals also contemplate stricter rules for social media companies, including requirements to demonstrate that their services are not harmful to younger users before young people can access them.
Any potential EU law would still require approval from the European Parliament and the EU’s 27 member countries before taking effect across the bloc. The discussion also includes the possibility of an outright ban, alongside age limits and phased access.
