EU Moves Toward Strict Social Media Age Limits for Children Under 13

The European Union is preparing to introduce common age restrictions for children's access to social media, with the European Commission expected to present a legislative proposal after the summer. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the plan after receiving recommendations from an expert panel, describing it as the bloc's most ambitious effort yet to strengthen online protections for minors.

The recommendations call for a gradual, age-based approach to children's use of digital platforms. Under the proposal, children younger than three should not be exposed to screens at all, while those under 13 would only be allowed limited access to social media under the supervision of parents, caregivers, or teachers and for restricted periods. As children grow older, access would gradually expand through a phased system based on age.

"It is very clear that we need age-appropriate restrictions to platforms. This is not about whether children can access social media. It is about whether and when social media can access our children," von der Leyen said. She added that the Commission intends to determine which online services pose the greatest risks to minors, noting that social media platforms are the primary concern but that other digital services with addictive or age-inappropriate features may also fall under the future rules.

According to the Commission president, the initiative reflects growing evidence of the impact excessive screen time has on children. She pointed to studies indicating that young people spend between four and six hours a day in front of screens, while nearly 60% have experienced problems such as emotional distress, sleep deprivation, depression, or exposure to harmful online content. "The question is no longer if children face risks online, but what can we do to give children a safer start online," she said.

Von der Leyen acknowledged that any new rules would not solve the problem overnight. "This won't be foolproof, and change takes time," she said, comparing the process to the gradual public acceptance of mandatory seat belts and strict drink-driving laws. She also stressed that parents should remain involved in decisions about children's online access and that the proposal would promote supervised rather than unrestricted use for younger age groups.

The Commission also released the results of a new Eurobarometer survey highlighting widespread public concern over children's online safety. Cyberbullying topped the list of worries, cited by 71% of respondents, followed closely by online grooming for sexual exploitation, exposure to violent, extremist, or self-harm content, and the misuse of children's personal data. Six in ten respondents also identified the addictive design of online platforms as a significant threat.

Public support for EU-wide action appears strong. The survey found that 63% of Europeans favor common rules restricting children's access to social media, while 44% want tougher action against illegal and misleading online content. At the same time, two-thirds of adults across the EU said they rely on social media every day for news or political information.

The proposed measures would build on existing EU privacy rules, which already prevent children under 13 from independently consenting to the processing of their personal data by online platforms. The Commission is expected to present its detailed proposal after the summer break, with von der Leyen signaling that the initiative will be among the priorities of her second term. "Childhood won't wait, and once it's gone, we can never give it back," she said.