EU Proposes Ban on Social Media for Under-13s, Restrictions for Under-15s
European Commission proposes banning social media for under-13s and restricting use for 13-15 year-olds with parental supervision
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Brussels, September 17 (KUNA) -- The European Commission proposed on Thursday a ban on the use of social media by children under the age of 13 and restrictions on access for those aged 13 to 15, as part of the EU’s “Digital Environment Child Protection Law” aimed at enhancing the safety of minors online.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement that the law, adopted by the Commission today, adopts an age-based approach to child protection, clarifying that “there is no social media for those under 13, and no personal accounts for those under 15.” She added that children aged 13 to 15 would be allowed to use limited accounts under parental supervision, with usage time capped at one hour per day.
She explained that “safety by design” rules would become mandatory for platforms concerning users aged 15 to 18, ensuring that minors are not exposed to toxic or addictive features or other tools designed to capture and retain their attention.
Von der Leyen emphasized that setting an age limit does not exempt technology companies from responsibility for the content on their platforms, stressing that the “burden of proof” would shift to these companies to demonstrate that their services are safe for children.
User age verification would be conducted using EU-approved tools, including an age verification application based on the “zero-knowledge proof” principle, meaning the platform would only know whether the user meets the required age threshold without obtaining additional information about their age.
She added that the largest platforms would be required to submit detailed advance plans for child safety, rather than waiting to prove harm after it occurs, reaffirming that the law places “safety first” and gives parents a greater role in protecting their children online.
She noted that the Commission would propose a broader framework under the “Digital Fairness Act” in the fall to address addictive designs that may affect both minors and adults.
The European official stressed the importance of protecting children from early and excessive exposure to the digital world, noting that young people in Europe spend an average of four to six hours daily in front of screens, with this duration rising to about seven or eight hours a day for those who began using social media before the age of 10. (End) A.R.N. / A.M.H.
