European Union Plans to Ban Social Media Use for Children Under 13

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Wednesday that the European Union intends to ban the use of social media by children under the age of 13 as part of a phased plan to strengthen the protection of children from the risks posed by digital platforms.

Speaking in her annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, von der Leyen said the EU would adopt a “gradual” approach to setting protection levels according to age groups.

She clarified that the bloc plans to allow limited use of social media for those aged 13 to 15 under parental or guardian supervision as part of the phased plan to enhance child protection.

She added, “Each age group has its own sensitivities, and therefore each age will have a tailored level of protection. No social media for those under 13, and no personal accounts for those under 15.”

She explained that this means that “from age 13 to under 15, only mini-accounts created and supervised by parents or guardians will be permitted, with limited features and time restrictions not exceeding one hour per day,” adding that “safe-by-design principles will be mandatory for platforms for users aged 15 to 18.”

Von der Leyen emphasized that Europe “has the capacity to act,” stressing that “we set our own rules, not big tech companies.”

She warned against accepting what she described as addictive design features in platforms, stating, “Platforms will have to prove they are safe.”

Von der Leyen noted that the risks of addictive design are not limited to children, saying, “Addictive design, for example, harms everyone,” and explained that the EU needs additional rules in this area, which will be proposed next autumn.

Von der Leyen and EU Commissioner for Technology Henna Virkkunen are scheduled to formally present the (Children’s Act) proposal tomorrow, Thursday, which includes graduated age levels for social media use.