The European Commission is set to propose new regulations that will restrict children's access to social media across the EU later this year, according to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This initiative is based on recommendations from an expert panel focused on enhancing the protection of minors from online risks.
The recommendations suggest that children under the age of 13 should only have limited and supervised access to social media platforms. As children grow older, these restrictions would gradually be eased.
Furthermore, the panel emphasized that social media companies must demonstrate that their platforms are safe for young users before granting access, thereby shifting more responsibility from parents to tech companies.
The EU is not alone in pursuing such measures. Australia became the first country to implement a nationwide ban on social media for children under 16 last year, and countries like France, Greece, and others in Europe have enacted or are considering similar age restrictions. Moreover, governments outside of Europe, including those in the UK and Canada, are also contemplating stricter regulations to safeguard children online.
Von der Leyen announced that the Commission will present its proposal following the summer recess, with legislation expected to be revealed during her State of the Union address in September.
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