European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has advocated for age restrictions on children's use of social media, proposing that platforms restrict access for those under 13 until they can demonstrate enhanced safety measures. The proposal aligns with growing global concerns about the impact of social media on young, developing minds.
Von der Leyen, who has a medical background, stated that children under three should have no screen exposure. "I believe we need to consider phased and gradual access for different age ranges because childhood won’t wait and once it’s gone, we can never give it back," she told reporters. She drew parallels to other age-restricted activities, such as driving or purchasing alcohol, emphasizing the need for similar legal access points for social media.
Specific concerns raised include the "addictive" nature of features like infinite scrolling, which tech companies would need to address. While von der Leyen did not specify exact age limits for older children, her proposals are expected to influence a forthcoming official proposal for the 27 EU member countries.
A special EU panel, tasked with studying online child safety, delivered a report to von der Leyen recommending that the burden of proof for platform safety should lie with the providers, not regulators, parents, or children. The report suggests that social media and other digital services should face restricted access for children under 13 "until they demonstrate that their services are safe by design." It also recommended that EU countries consider "further precautionary age restrictions" for children over 13.
Several countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and Indonesia, have already implemented bans or restrictions on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram for children under 15 or 16. The EU's potential move signifies a significant step by a major regulatory body to address online child safety.