Key Takeaways
- EU chief Ursula von der Leyen announced phased and gradual access for children to social media.
- Experts recommend no screens for babies and toddlers, supervised use for ages 3-12, and evolving autonomy for 13-18 year-olds.
- A legal proposal is expected in the second half of the year, with a start date for age restrictions still under consideration.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has announced that children should have phased and gradual access to social media platforms. This decision follows recommendations from an expert panel tasked by von der Leyen, which included doctors, academics, youth representatives, and parents.
The European Union has been considering a ban on social media for children since EU states like Greece and France pushed for such measures. The pressure intensified when Australia implemented its own restrictions, prompting the EU to reconsider its approach.
Von der Leyen stated that age-appropriate restrictions are necessary, emphasizing that this is not about whether children can access social media but rather 'whether and when social media can access our children.'
The expert panel's report offers a detailed roadmap for implementing these restrictions. For babies and toddlers, the recommendation is to avoid screens entirely. Children aged three to 12 should use age-appropriate social media under supervision by parents or teachers.
For teenagers aged 13 to 18, the panel advised 'evolving autonomous use' of social media platforms that have key safety features. This approach aims to balance children's need for digital engagement with their developmental stages and online safety concerns.
Platforms such as TikTok and Meta’s Facebook and Instagram are currently only available to users aged 13 and over, reflecting the existing age restrictions in place. However, the EU is expected to hold social media companies accountable by requiring them to prove that their services do no harm.
Von der Leyen also highlighted the importance of safety measures, stating, 'In Europe, whoever develops a product is responsible for its safety.' This underscores the EU's commitment to ensuring the digital world remains safe for children and adolescents.
The European Parliament has previously called for a ban on social media for children under 16. While some lawmakers continue to back this position, the current approach focuses more on phased access rather than an outright ban.
A legal proposal is expected in the second half of the year, with von der Leyen indicating that she will provide indications of what these restrictions might look like by September.
What we already have is a consensus that there needs to be a start date for the age children can join social media.
Ursula von der Leyen, EU chief
We need to consider a phased and gradual access for different age ranges.
Ursula von der Leyen, EU chief
