EU Chief Proposes Social Media Ban for Children Under 13

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a bloc-wide ban on social media use for children under 13 across the 27-nation European Union. The plan, which also includes time and feature limits for older teens, is part of a broader global effort to shield young people from online dangers.

Von der Leyen announced the proposal during her annual State of the European Union speech, stating that "we do not have to accept addictive features" or "children being drawn into ever more extreme content." She also highlighted concerns about children's photos being used for AI-generated sexualized images.

Under the proposed rules, children aged 13 to 15 would receive "mini accounts" requiring guardian supervision and would face restrictions on platform features and usage time. For individuals aged 15 to 18, platforms would be required to implement "safe design" features. More details are expected to be released.

The proposal must be debated and voted on by the EU member states, a process that could take years. It is also anticipated to generate friction with U.S. tech companies and potentially with the U.S. administration, given past critiques of European tech regulations.

"To apply this, you need to confront in a very frontal way the interests of platforms and Big Tech who are not happy with this," said Brando Benifei, an Italian member of the European Parliament, in support of the initiative. Von der Leyen had previously indicated the EU's intention to introduce a more gradual exposure to social media for children.

While platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok already have age restrictions prohibiting users under 13, authorities have alleged the companies have failed to enforce these rules. Critics argue that the proposed measures do not address the fundamental business models of social media companies, which rely on addictive content and advertising to engage users.

"The platforms will 'unavoidably target them as soon as they’re a day older than the threshold,'" said Simeon de Brouwer, a policy advisor at digital rights group EDRi, suggesting the plan "merely delays young people’s exposure to the risks of online harm instead of addressing the business model and extractive practices which fuel it."

The EU's initiative follows similar regulatory actions in individual member countries like Spain and Portugal, as well as in nations such as Australia and New Zealand. However, some attempts have faced legal challenges; France's highest court recently overturned a ban on social media for children under 15, citing infringements on fundamental freedoms.

In the United States, Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, recently agreed to a settlement of up to $18 billion to address trial claims concerning teen social media addiction and to enhance child-safety measures on its platforms.

Manfred Weber, leader of the largest political group in the European Parliament, suggested that the EU should consider allowing citizens to disable social media algorithms, drawing a parallel with actions taken in Australia.

Von der Leyen also addressed the growing debate around artificial intelligence, indicating that the commission would discuss efforts to regulate the pace of advanced AI development with major AI companies and "like-minded partners" such as Canada and Britain.