The European Union is considering sweeping new restrictions on children's and teenagers' access to social media, including age limits, outright bans, and phased access. Social media platforms could also be forced to prove their services are not harmful before young people are allowed to use them.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the bloc's executive arm could propose new legislation requiring age-appropriate restrictions on platforms. 'We need age-appropriate restrictions on platforms,' she said, emphasizing the need to protect minors online.
The proposed measures come as part of a broader push to enhance online safety for children and teens across Europe. If enacted, these rules would mark one of the most significant regulatory actions targeting social media use by young people globally.