Ursula von der Leyen pledges EU-wide social media ban for children

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has committed to proposing an EU-wide ban on social media for children, following a report from an expert group advocating for restrictions for those under 13. Von der Leyen stated, "It is clear we need age-appropriate restrictions to platforms," emphasizing that the focus is on "whether and when social media can access our children," rather than if children can access social media. She alluded to concerns about "predatory algorithms" and indicated a draft law would be presented in the autumn.

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It is clear we need age-appropriate restrictions to platforms.

The expert panel, co-chaired by child psychiatrist Jörg Fegert and epidemiologist Maria Melchior, recommended an EU-wide delay for "social media plus" services for individuals under 13. This category includes platforms with similar features, such as video games and AI chatbots. The report also suggested that member states could implement higher "precautionary" age restrictions. This aligns with existing or planned measures in several EU countries; France aims to ban social media for under-15s, Spain for under-16s, and Greece will enforce curbs for under-15s from January 1, 2027. Australia is cited as the first country globally to ban minors under 16 from accessing major social media platforms.

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This is not about whether children can access social media. It is about whether and when social media can access our children.

However, Estonia stands apart, arguing that regulating the platforms themselves is more effective, as children will inevitably find ways to circumvent bans. The European Commission is also pushing for internet safety by design, with von der Leyen comparing it to safety features in cars. The commission has already initiated preliminary proceedings against Meta and TikTok, accusing them of failing to address the risks associated with the addictive nature of their apps, citing features like infinite scroll, autoplay videos, and personalized algorithms as problematic. Both companies have contested these findings, and investigations are ongoing.

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social media plus

The expert recommendations are predicated on a safe internet, suggesting that from age 13, adolescents should be able to "benefit from evolving autonomous use of age-appropriate and safe social media and other digital services." The report's focus on age-appropriate restrictions and the potential ban for younger children reflects growing concerns across Europe about the impact of social media on child safety and well-being.

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We do not expect children to design their own seatbelts. We do not expect parents to fit airbags at home.