EU experts urge limits on children's social media access

An expert group commissioned by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has recommended limiting children's access to social media. The report, presented in Brussels, comes as several EU member states, including Spain, Greece, Germany, and Austria, are contemplating legal measures to ban social media for minors below a specified age.

Implementing age restrictions on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat would likely require EU-level action. The European Commission holds responsibility for enforcing rules on major online platforms within the bloc, and national laws must align with EU legislation. President von der Leyen has previously voiced concerns about the impact of social media on young people and tasked the expert group with advising the Commission on protecting youth online.

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The report, commissioned by European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen, was presented in Brussels.

Australia is cited as a potential model, having become the first country to ban social media for children under 16 at the end of 2025. The European Commission is anticipated to present legislative proposals later this year, signaling a potential shift in how the EU regulates online spaces for its youngest citizens. The move aims to address growing worries about the mental health and well-being of children exposed to the digital world.

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She noted Australia as a possible example – at the end of 2025, it became the first country to ban social media for children under 16.