BRUSSELS, July 14. /Dunyo IA/. President of European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has presented a report by an EU expert group recommending the introduction of age restrictions for minors using social media, reports Dunyo IA correspondent, citing DW.

The experts propose banning children under the age of 13 from using social media without parental supervision. They also recommend restrictions for older teenagers if online platforms fail to protect them from addictive features, violent content, and hate speech.

“It is clear we need age-appropriate restrictions to platforms. The question is no longer if children face risks online, but what can we do to give children a safer start online,” Ursula von der Leyen said. According to her, legislative proposals are expected to be prepared by September 2026.

The initiative is part of the European Commission’s efforts to reduce the risks that social media poses to the mental and physical health of children and teenagers. Denmark, Spain, Greece, and France also support the introduction of EU-wide age restrictions. Several member states have already adopted similar measures at the national level.

In Germany, Federal Minister for Youth Karin Prien has pledged to present a corresponding bill by the end of 2027. Earlier, a government-appointed expert group recommended a complete ban on social media access for children under 13 and risk-based restrictions for specific platforms.

While EU member states may introduce their own age restrictions, enforcement for major platforms, including “Instagram,” “TikTok,” and “Snapchat,” falls under the European Commission’s authority. The Commission can require platforms to make changes to their services and impose fines for non-compliance.

Major social media platforms already restrict access for users under 13 in the EU because European data protection rules do not allow children of that age to independently consent to the processing of their personal data.

It should be recalled that in November 2025, the European Parliament approved a proposal to ban social media use for teenagers under the age of 16.

Photo credit: Reuters