The proposed framework advocates for a tiered system of digital safety: complete screen abstinence for children under 3, supervised browsing for those under 13, and tailored usage limits for older adolescents. Von der Leyen emphasized that the objective is to control when digital platforms interface with children rather than imposing a total blackout on internet access. The Commission plans to refine these recommendations into formal legislative proposals following the summer recess.
EU Considers Strict Social Media Curbs for Minors
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is spearheading a legislative push to restrict how teenagers interact with social media, potentially requiring platforms to prove their services are harmless before granting access to younger users. The proposal follows expert recommendations for age-gated, phased digital boundaries across the bloc.
Any resulting law requires backing from the European Parliament and all 27 member states, signaling a major shift in global regulatory efforts similar to ongoing initiatives in the UK and Australia. This legislative momentum coincides with intensifying scrutiny of major tech firms. Both Meta and TikTok have recently faced preliminary findings from the EU regarding the addictive design of their platforms, putting additional pressure on companies to demonstrate that their digital environments do not compromise the well-being of young users.
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