EU Proposes Sweeping New Restrictions on Teen Social Media Access
The European Union is weighing sweeping new restrictions on children's and teenagers' access to social media platforms. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen indicated that the bloc's executive arm could propose new legislation within months, following recommendations from a panel of experts.
The proposed measures include age limits, an outright ban on certain platforms, and phased access approaches depending on age. Social media companies could also be required to prove their services are not harmful to young users before being allowed to operate in the European market for minors.
"This is not about whether children can access social media. It is about when social media can access our children," von der Leyen stated, emphasizing that the focus is on protecting children from potential harms rather than restricting access.
The recommendations from the expert panel are currently under review, and the proposed legislation would represent a significant expansion of the EU's digital safety framework for minors.