The European Union has unveiled a proposal to sharply restrict how children use social media, aiming to protect their mental health and safety online. Under the plan, known as the EU Kids Act, children younger than 13 would be banned from social platforms altogether, while those aged 13 to 15 could only use them for one hour per day through “mini accounts” linked to a parent or guardian’s profile. Only teens 15 and older would be allowed to open accounts independently.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the goal is to “put parents back in the driving seat,” arguing that too many children face bullying and permanent digital footprints before they’re ready. She stressed that age limits wouldn’t let tech companies off the hook: platforms serving anyone under 18 would have to prove they’re designed safely, free of “toxic or addictive features,” and submit detailed child-safety plans. Age checks would rely on the EU’s existing verification app.
The announcement follows similar national efforts in France and Spain, which would be overridden by EU-wide rules, though countries could still impose stricter measures. Von der Leyen cited Australia’s under-16 social media ban—now in effect but difficult to enforce—as a reference point. The UK is set to introduce a comparable ban next spring.
Read the full BBC report for more details on how the plan would work.
Source: EU announces plan to restrict social media access for under-15s (feeds.bbci.co.uk). English version produced with AI assistance.
Image: Artem Beliaikin, CC0 1.0 (via Openverse).