EU Considers Social Media Age Limits

The European Union is considering introducing stricter regulations on children's use of social media following recommendations from a special panel on online child safety. The panel proposed that children under the age of 13 should not be allowed to access social media platforms until technology companies can prove that their services are safe by design. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also stressed that children under the age of three should have no exposure to digital screens and advocated a phased approach to social media access based on age.

The report places the responsibility on technology companies to ensure child safety rather than on parents or regulators. It also urged EU member states to consider additional age-based restrictions for children above 13. Von der Leyen highlighted addictive platform features such as infinite scrolling and said children should be given access to social media only when they reach an appropriate age, similar to legal age limits for driving or purchasing alcohol. The recommendations are expected to shape future EU-wide digital safety policies.