EU Commission proposes social media ban for children under 13
The proposal would bar under-13s from social media and require platforms to prove their services are safe for minors.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a new Kids Act on Thursday to ban social media for children under 13 across the European Union, requiring platforms to prove their services are safe for minors.
- Individual European Union member states have already introduced social media limits on teenagers, reflecting a global push toward stricter regulation; Australia became the first country worldwide to ban social media for children under 16 in December 2025.
- The proposal introduces "mini accounts" for 13-15 year olds with parental supervision and limited features, capped at one hour daily. Platforms must demonstrate their environments are safe for minors to comply.
- EU member nations will now vote on the proposal, which could spark tensions with President Donald Trump, who has long criticized European tech regulations. Legal experts call the act a potential "new EU behemoth."
- Critics warn policymakers should avoid one-size-fits-all solutions for digital safety, as some students and experts argue parental involvement and responsible platform design are equally important as age restrictions. Implementation could take years pending individual member state approval.
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In Brussels today, further details were provided regarding the new Kids Act announced on Wednesday, which is intended to ensure that fewer children become addicted to…
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented on Thursday (17) a comprehensive plan to protect children from online dangers, proposing to ban under 13 years of age from using social networks and to require on-line services to create safe accounts for children. The action follows similar initiatives taken in Australia, the UK, China, India, Turkey and several European Union countries, in view of the concerns about the …
The European Commission wants to regulate the access of minors to social media, and the proposal provides for a gradual introduction, rather than a rigid age limit.
Digital Commissioner Henna Virkkunen (Congress) proposes gradual age restrictions for social media.
Independent accounts will be opened at the age of 15, and parental controls are being introduced for children aged 13 to 15. Online platforms will be responsible for security.
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