BRUSSELS (TechGenez) – The European Commission will present a proposal in the coming weeks to restrict children’s access to social media platforms, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Monday.
The new rules would require platforms to prove they are safe before making them available to young people, and they would give children more time for real-world activities instead of being shaped by algorithms.
“ Our children need time in the real world. Time to play, time to build friendships, time to make mistakes. Time to shape their own identity, their own personality, before an algorithm shapes them instead,” von der Leyen said. “This is not about whether children can access social media. It is about whether and when social media can access our children.”
The announcement comes as the EU continues to strengthen its digital safety framework following Australia’s successful social media ban for under-16s and Canada’s recent digital safety bill.
Main Points of the Proposal
The Commission has not yet published the full details of the proposal, but it will likely include:
- Age verification requirements for all social media users
- Stronger parental controls and reporting tools
- Limits on how platforms can target or contact children
- Rules to prevent harmful content, such as encouragement of self-harm or deceptive behaviour
The proposal is expected to be introduced shortly after the summer break and will build on the EU’s existing Digital Services Act and the upcoming AI Act.
Why This Matters
Social media platforms have become central to many teenagers’ daily lives, yet research and expert warnings have highlighted serious risks including anxiety, depression, addiction, and exposure to harmful content. The EU is determined to act before the technology becomes even more deeply embedded in young people’s lives.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that this is about protecting children’s mental health and personal development, not banning platforms entirely. The rules will still allow children to use social media safely under strict conditions.
Reactions from Industry
Technology companies, including Meta and Google, have previously said they support higher safety standards for children and are already working on parental control tools. The EU’s move is expected to increase pressure on platforms to improve their systems or face stricter enforcement.
Outlook
The proposal will now go through the standard EU legislative process, involving the European Parliament and Council of Ministers. A final agreement could take several months, but the timeline suggests the rules could come into force later this year or early 2027.
The European Commission has said the new rules will complement ongoing work on AI safety and digital regulation, creating a more protective environment for Europe’s young people.
Conclusion
Ursula von der Leyen’s announcement marks a clear step forward in Europe’s efforts to protect children from the potential harms of social media. By focusing on when and how platforms can reach young users, the EU aims to give children the time and space they need to grow up safely in the real world while still allowing responsible use of digital platforms.
