The European Commission is preparing a ban on social media for children — Euractiv
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen plans to announce an initiative in September to introduce Europe-wide restrictions or a complete ban on children’s access to social media.
An official announcement is expected on September 16 during her annual address to the European Parliament on the state of the European Union.
According to diplomats and officials, the European Commission has already begun notifying the governments of member states about the upcoming initiative.
This move comes in response to growing concerns about the impact of digital platforms on minors and their vulnerability to harmful content.
At this time, the final details of the legal framework have not yet been approved, so it remains unclear exactly what the minimum age threshold will be.
Authorities are considering various options for restrictions—ranging from mandatory parental consent to a complete technical block on access, backed by user age verification systems.
The debate surrounding this issue intensified after Australia and the United Kingdom adopted similar strict measures, banning the use of social media by individuals under the age of 16.
The European Commission emphasizes that “the time has come for change,” as current social media algorithms often expose children to danger, including hate speech, content promoting self-harm, and other toxic material.
Ursula von der Leyen previously stressed that social media platforms have algorithms that “exploit children’s vulnerabilities with the clear intent of creating addictions.”
According to the official, it is parents—not the soulless mechanisms of large tech companies that operate solely to generate profits—who should be responsible for raising children.
Euractiv reports on this.
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