EU Commission proposes social media ban for children under 13
- 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.
210 Articles
210 Articles
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented a proposal in Strasbourg on Thursday to ban social media services for children under 13, and to allow EU residents to have their own social media accounts only from the age of 15. These restrictions could go far beyond the digital realm.
The European Commission prohibits autonomous access to social media for children under 13 years of age, taking a gradual approach depending on the age of the child. It also provides for the...
The plan divides access by age, provides for different types of accounts and mandatory age verification by platforms - "Mini accounts" with parental control from 13 to 15
Maximum one hour of screen time per day for children under 13 – and not on their own devices. This is how the European Commission wants to build its 13-year-old limit on social media.
The proposal prohibits social platforms from accessing under 13 and sets at 15 years the minimum age to open an independent account. Between 13 and 15 years parental control will be provided
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