EU Moves to Shut Children Under 13 Out of Social Media

STRASBOURG, Sept 17: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed banning children under 13 from using social media and restricting access for those aged 13 to 15 as the European Union moves to strengthen protections for minors online.

The proposal, part of the EU’s planned Kids Act, would also introduce new obligations for social media platforms, video-sharing services, online video games and AI chatbots that provide services to users under 18.

The measures could affect major platforms, including Google’s YouTube and Meta’s Facebook and Instagram. The Commission says the initiative is aimed at addressing growing concerns over children’s exposure to harmful content and potentially addictive online services.

Under the proposal, children aged 13 to 15 would face additional restrictions, while platforms would be required to introduce stronger age-related safeguards and safer design measures for younger users.

The initiative reflects growing international efforts to regulate children’s access to social media and strengthen online safety protections for minors. The proposed EU rules would still have to go through the bloc’s legislative process before becoming law.