EU moves to restrict social media access for children under 13

The European Union is moving towards introducing a minimum age requirement for unsupervised access to social media, as officials step up efforts to address concerns over the impact of online platforms on children’s mental and physical health.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the plan on Monday (July 13) while presenting a report by an expert panel established to examine ways to tackle social media-related harms, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

"It is very clear that we need age-appropriate restrictions to platforms. This is not about whether children can access social media. It is about whether and when social media can access our children," von der Leyen said.

The report recommends that children under the age of 13 should only have “time-limited” access to certain social media platforms and only under parental supervision.

The panel also advised that children should not be exposed to screens before the age of three and should be gradually introduced to social media and other digital technologies until the age of 13 with supervision.

The initiative comes after years of growing concern among European governments over the effects of social media use on minors. Von der Leyen has made online child protection a priority during her second term as head of the EU executive, while countries including Greece, Denmark and France have also pushed for stricter age controls.

Social media platforms already restrict access for users under 13 because children are unable to provide consent for the processing of their personal data under EU privacy rules.

Von der Leyen said parents, caregivers and teachers should play a greater role in overseeing children’s use of online platforms.

"Children should only be exposed to social media under the supervision of parents, of caregivers teachers, and time-limited," she said.

"This won't be foolproof, and change takes time," she added, comparing the process to the introduction of seat belts for road safety, when public behaviour gradually changed over time.

The Commission president said the EU would also examine whether similar restrictions should apply to other online services and would begin assessing which platforms pose risks to minors.

The bloc is seeking a “phased and gradual access for different age ranges,” von der Leyen said, adding: "Childhood won't wait, and once it's gone, we can never give it back."