While countries around the globe are completely banning social media use for teenagers, the European Union (EU) seems to have a different plan in mind.
The European Commission plans to propose new rules later this year to limit children’s access to social media across the EU.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the proposal will follow recommendations from an expert panel focused on protecting minors from online harms. The formal plan is expected after the summer, with legislation likely to be presented around her State of the Union address in September.
Age-Based Restrictions
The expert panel recommended a phased approach to children’s access to social media.
Under the proposal, children under 13 would only be allowed limited and supervised access. Restrictions would then gradually ease as children get older, instead of giving all minors the same level of access at once.
Von der Leyen said the EU needs age-appropriate rules for online platforms, comparing the idea to existing age limits for activities such as driving or drinking alcohol.
More Responsibility for Platforms
The panel also recommended shifting more responsibility onto social media companies.
Instead of leaving parents to manage the risks alone, platforms may be required to show that their services are safe for young users before allowing children to access them. This could include stronger safeguards against addictive features, harmful content, and inappropriate design choices.
The European Commission is also working on age-verification tools that could help enforce the rules while preserving user privacy.
Wider Global Trend
The EU is not the first to move toward tougher social media rules for children.
Australia passed a nationwide social media age law in 2024, requiring major platforms to stop users under 16 from holding accounts. The law took effect in December 2025.
Several European countries, including France and Greece, have also supported or considered stricter age-based rules. Governments in the UK, Canada, and other countries are weighing similar measures to reduce online risks for children.
Not Yet Final Law
The planned EU rules have not yet been formally introduced or approved.
Once the European Commission presents its proposal, it will still need support from the European Parliament and EU member states before becoming law. The final version could therefore change during negotiations.
For now, the announcement shows that the EU is preparing a more direct approach to children’s social media use, with age limits, platform safety duties, and stronger enforcement likely to become central parts of the debate.
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