EU to restrict social media for kids under 13

The European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, has announced plans to propose legislation restricting social media access for children under 13, following recommendations from a panel of experts. The report, presented on July 13, 2026, urges that children under 13 should only use social media under parental or teacher supervision, with time limits, and that teenagers aged 13-18 should have gradual, supervised access with safety features. Von der Leyen emphasized that social media platforms must prove their services do no harm, citing mental health risks such as sleep problems, depression, and anxiety among children who spend four to six hours daily on screens. The experts also recommended no screen time for children under three and limited, supervised use for ages 3-12. The Commission will review the report and present a legislative proposal after the summer. Several EU member states, including France, Spain, and Germany, have already considered national age limits, but EU-wide rules aim to harmonize regulations and avoid market fragmentation. Australia's social media ban for under-16s was cited as a model, though its effectiveness has been debated due to easy circumvention by minors. Criticism has emerged from Estonia, which emphasizes digital literacy and argues that children should learn to navigate the online world. The proposal will require approval from the European Parliament and EU countries, and negotiations are expected to take time. The report represents a significant step toward protecting children online, but implementation challenges remain, including enforcement and age verification.