EU will seek to limit children's access to social media

The European Commission is set to introduce a proposal aimed at restricting children's access to social media platforms later this year. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the upcoming initiative, emphasizing the need for "age-appropriate restrictions" on digital services, including social media.

Von der Leyen highlighted the critical importance of ensuring children have adequate time for real-world experiences, such as playing, building friendships, and developing their identities, before algorithms heavily influence them. "It is not about whether children can access social media. It is about whether and when social media can access our children," she stated, advocating for a phased and gradual approach to access based on different age groups.

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We need to consider a phased and gradual access for different age ranges.

This move by the European Commission aligns with growing international concerns about the impact of social media on young people. The Irish government has expressed support for EU-level restrictions. Meanwhile, Australia introduced the world's first social media ban for individuals under 16 in December, though a recent study suggested limited impact on teen usage. Several EU member states, including France, Austria, and Slovenia, have already enacted or are preparing legislation for age-based social media limits. The UK also announced plans to ban social media for under-16s starting early next year.

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Our children need time in the real world. Time to play, time to build friendships, time to make mistakes. Time to shape their own identity, their own personality, before an algorithm shapes them instead.