EU Proposes Stricter Rules for Children on Social Media

The European Union's chief official proposed on Wednesday a bloc-wide ban on social media use for children under 13 and usage limits for older teenagers accessing the platforms.

The plan, outlined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, adds to global efforts to protect young people from online harm.

"We do not have to accept addictive features. We do not have to accept children being drawn into ever more extreme content. We do not have to accept that girls have their photos used for AI-generated sexualized images," von der Leyen stated in her annual State of the European Union speech in Strasbourg. She emphasized the need to counter addictive features, harmful content, and unauthorized use of images in AI generation.

Under the proposal, children aged 13-15 would receive "mini accounts" chaperoned by guardians, with limitations on features and time spent on platforms. For 15-to-18-year-olds, platforms would need to provide a "safe design." Further details are expected to be released soon.

The proposal requires debate and voting by EU member states and may lead to tensions with the United States. While major tech companies already prohibit users under 13, authorities accuse them of failing to enforce these rules. Some experts argue the plan does not address the core business model of social media, which relies on user engagement through addictive content and advertising.