EU proposes age limits for children's social media access

The European Commission intends to propose legislation that would restrict social media access for children under the age of 13 across all 27 member states. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the move, which aims to protect minors from online risks such as harmful content and cyberbullying.

The proposal follows a report by a special panel recommending a harmonized EU-wide minimum age of 13 for social media and other "digital services." The report defines "social media+" to include AI companions, app stores, and video-sharing and gaming platforms with addictive or age-inappropriate features. Children under 13 would only be allowed access with parental consent or in educational settings, with member states permitted to set stricter national limits.

The panel justifies the age threshold based on developmental psychology, citing distinct stages in children's cognitive, emotional, and social maturation. The report also argues that the primary responsibility for child online safety should lie with platforms, not families, requiring providers to demonstrate that their products are safe by design.

"We are now focusing on how to ensure children have a safer online experience," von der Leyen stated. The Commission is also exploring other measures, including potential bans on specific addictive features. Meta has already been instructed under the Digital Services Act to remove addictive features from Facebook and Instagram. Methods for age verification are still under consideration, with the panel advocating for systems that avoid processing personal identity data.