EU Considers Uniform Age Limit to Restrict Children's Social Media Use Under 13

The European Union is contemplating a continent-wide age restriction on social media use for children under 13, following expert recommendations aimed at protecting young users. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced at a press conference that children below 13 should only access social media under parental, caregiver, or teacher supervision and for limited periods. She emphasized that social media platforms must prove their services are safe and age-appropriate before allowing unrestricted access to users over 13.

Von der Leyen highlighted the mental health risks posed by unrestricted social media use, noting that European youth currently spend four to six hours daily on screens, equating to roughly 20 years of their lives. She also pointed out that about 60% of children in Europe experience emotional or psychosocial issues related to online activity. The Commission President stressed that platforms, as creators of these systems, bear responsibility for ensuring their products do not harm children.

The EU plans to carefully review the expert panel's report and recommendations, aiming to propose legislation after the summer. The goal is to harmonize member states' approaches into a consistent and effective regulatory framework. If approved, the EU would join countries like Australia and the United Kingdom, which have already implemented stricter bans on social media use for children under 16, with Australia initiating its ban in December 2025 and the UK following last month.