The European Union is moving toward a potential ban on social media for children, aligning with similar crackdowns in the United Kingdom and Australia. A 156-page report delivered Monday to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recommends barring children under 13 from platforms unless a parent or teacher is present.
The report, authored by child psychiatrist Professor Jörg Fegert and epidemiologist Dr. Maria Mechior, also proposes that adolescents aged 13 to 18 should only have access to platforms that already include safety features, such as limits on endless scrolling.
European Parliament rapporteur Sandro Ruotolo backed the approach, stating: “Manufacturers have a duty to ensure the safety of their products. The same principle must apply to digital platforms. Platforms must eliminate features that encourage addiction, manipulation, and exposure to harmful content or contacts. Safety shall be incorporated into services by design.”
The report goes further, calling for an EU code of conduct for influencers, a ban on addictive design features, a “youth mode” that disables targeted advertising, and ethical standards for artificial intelligence companions. It even recommends zero screen time for children under three.
Von der Leyen is expected to unveil any new legislation in September during her annual State of the European Union address, signaling a major policy push. This EU initiative follows the UK government’s ban on social media for children under 16, making it the fifth country to pursue such a sweeping restriction, after Australia, Indonesia, Brazil, and Canada.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the move last month, saying: “This is not something I do lightly. And I will not present it as cost-free, as if social media has brought no benefits to young people because clearly that is wrong. But government is always about choices.” The UK ban targets platforms like X, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube, along with gaming and livestreaming services, and Starmer suggested it could go further than Australia’s.
In Australia, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant warned in March that platforms such as Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube could face court enforcement if they fail to comply with the ban. Reddit, Threads, Twitch, and X face fines up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (about $32.99 million) for not removing accounts of users under 16.
The EU’s potential restrictions come amid broader debates about online safety and child protection. Critics argue that such bans could limit free expression and access to information, while supporters point to growing evidence of social media’s harms to youth mental health. The European Commission is also navigating other contentious issues, such as the recent Mamdani's Summer Surge political wave and tensions with key allies like Italy, as seen in Trump's Public Snub of Meloni.
As the EU moves toward formal proposals, the tech industry is bracing for significant regulatory changes. The report’s emphasis on safety-by-design and addictive feature bans could reshape how platforms operate in Europe, with potential global ripple effects.
