Ursula von der Leyen pledges EU-wide social media ban for children

Ursula 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.’ Photograph: Thierry Monasse/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Ursula 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.’ Photograph: Thierry Monasse/Getty Images Ursula von der Leyen pledges EU-wide social media ban for children European Commission president’s commitment comes after panel of experts calls for restriction for under-13s The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen , has pledged an EU-wide social media ban for children after an expert group called for restrictions for under-13s. “It is clear we need age-appropriate restrictions to platforms,” von der Leyen told reporters after the publication of a report on child safety online. “This is not about whether children can access social media. It is about whether and when social media can access our children,” she said in remarks that also referred to “predatory algorithms”. Promising a draft law in the autumn, she declined to specify a minimum age, but said she found the panel’s “staged approach” to internet use – recommendations by age group - “very convincing”. The panel, co-chaired by the German child and adolescent psychiatrist Jörg Fegert and the French epidemiologist Maria Melchior, called for an EU-wide delay to “social media plus” for under-13s. “Social media plus” refers to other platforms that use similar features, such as video games or AI chatbots. It suggested governments of member states may opt for higher “precautionary” age restrictions on social media use. At least ten EU countries have announced plans for bans for children. France has pledged to ban social media for under-15s , and Spain wants restrictions for under-16s. In Greece, curbs for under-15s will enter into force on 1 January 2027. Estonia is a lone voice against the measures , arguing for a focus on regulating platforms because children will find a way around any bans. Australia was the first country in the world to ban minors from social media, a policy that in theory at least prevents under-16s from accessing the likes of Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, SnapChat and TikTok. View image in fullscreen At least 10 EU member states have announced plans for social media bans for children. Photograph: Daisy-Daisy/Alamy EU officials also say the internet should be safe by design. “We do not expect children to design their own seatbelts. We do not expect parents to fit airbags at home,” von der Leyen said. The commission has already concluded preliminary indictments against Meta and TikTok in cases that could force the companies to change the “addictive” nature of their apps. The owner of Facebook and Instagram had failed to tackle the risks of its addictive design on users , the commission said on Friday, having reached a similar conclusion against Ti