EU Plans Stricter Social Media Rules for Children Under New Proposal

By: Harsh Vardhan

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Updated on: 14-Jul-2026 06:00 AM

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The European Commission will introduce new rules to limit children's access to social media across the European Union later this year. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the plan, which follows recommendations from an expert panel focused on protecting minors from online risks.

Key Highlights

• European Commission to propose new social media rules for children later this year.
• Children under 13 would have limited, supervised access to social media under recommendations.
• Tech companies would need to prove platforms are safe for young users before granting access.
• Australia, France, and Greece have already implemented or considered similar restrictions.
• EU proposal expected to be unveiled during State of the Union address in September.

Proposed Restrictions for Minors

The expert panel recommended that children under 13 should have only limited and supervised access to social media platforms. As children grow older, these restrictions would gradually ease. The panel also suggested that social media companies must prove their platforms are safe for young users before granting access. This approach would shift more responsibility onto technology companies, reducing the burden on parents.

International Context and Precedents

The European Union is not the first region to consider such measures. In 2023, Australia became the first country to enforce a nationwide ban on social media for children under 16. Several European countries, including France and Greece, have already approved or are considering similar age-based restrictions. Other governments, such as those in the United Kingdom and Canada, are also evaluating stricter online protections for children.

Next Steps for EU Legislation

Commission President von der Leyen confirmed that the European Commission will present its proposal after the summer. The legislation is expected to be unveiled during her State of the Union address in September. If adopted, the new rules would place greater responsibility on social media platforms to ensure the safety of young users across the EU.