European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Monday that the European Union is moving toward implementing a system of "phased and gradual access" to social media for children. This initiative follows a push from several member states, including France and Greece, to limit youth exposure to online platforms, mirroring recent legislative efforts seen in countries like Australia.
To ensure policy decisions are grounded in evidence, von der Leyen commissioned a panel of doctors, academics, parents, and youth representatives to provide guidance. The group, co-chaired by child psychiatrist Jorg Fegert and epidemiologist Maria Melchior, delivered their formal recommendations on Monday.
The expert report offers a clear vision for how the EU's proposal might take shape. The panel recommended that babies and toddlers have no screen time at all, while children between the ages of three and 12 should only use age-appropriate social media and devices under the direct supervision of parents or teachers.
For adolescents aged 13 to 18, the panel advised "evolving autonomous use" of digital platforms that incorporate "key safety features." Von der Leyen emphasized that the goal is not to prevent children from accessing the internet, but to regulate whether and when social media platforms can access children.
She noted that there is a consensus that a specific start date for when children can join social media is necessary.
The European Commission is expected to provide an indication of what these restrictions will look like in September, with a formal legal proposal following in the second half of the year. The Commission aims to harmonize these rules across all 27 EU countries to avoid a patchwork of different age limits. Currently, national proposals vary significantly; for instance, Spain has discussed an under-16 limit, while France has proposed a threshold of 15 and under.
Meanwhile, some nations, such as Estonia, remain opposed to a bloc-wide ban. Von der Leyen stated that the Commission will carefully review these national proposals to find a common solution.
Addressing the responsibility of technology firms, von der Leyen stated that platforms must prove their services do not cause harm, noting that in Europe, whoever develops a product is responsible for its safety. EU consumer protection chief Michael McGrath added that forthcoming legislation will target "addictive" design features, such as infinite scrolling, autoplay content, and push notifications, which are intended to capture attention and influence behavior.
The EU has already ramped up pressure on major companies, telling Facebook and Instagram on Friday to dismantle their addictive features, following a similar warning issued to TikTok in February.
The expert report did not recommend a blanket ban on digital platforms, and von der Leyen has not backed such a move, noting that the Australian experience showed children often found ways around such limits. Despite the push for regulation, debates persist regarding the appropriate age threshold.
While the panel suggests 13 as a starting point for safe platforms—an age already used by most major platforms like TikTok and Meta's Facebook and Instagram—some lawmakers, such as Christel Schaldemose, argue that the limit should be set at 15.
The European Parliament previously called for a ban for those under 16 in October. As the proposal moves toward potential law, it will require difficult negotiations between the European Parliament and member states to resolve these divisions and establish a common, enforceable standard.
The EU already has a bolstered armoury to rein in Big Tech and protect users online, and the commission has said more rules are on the way.
