EU's Bold Move: Proposed Social Media Ban for Kids Under 13 Sparks Global Debate

The European Union is considering a groundbreaking proposal to ban children under 13 from using social media platforms, with additional restrictions for older teens. This initiative, presented by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, aims to protect young users from online dangers and reflects a growing global movement for digital safety. While the proposal is still subject to debate among EU member states, it has already sparked discussions about the responsibilities of social media companies and the need for comprehensive regulations. As the world watches, the implications of this plan could reshape how social media is accessed by younger audiences.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 16, 2026, 16:02 IST

New Proposal from the EU

Brussels: On Wednesday, the European Union's leading official put forth a proposal aimed at prohibiting children under the age of 13 from accessing social media platforms across its 27 member states, while also suggesting restrictions for older teenagers.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's initiative is part of a broader global movement to safeguard young individuals from online dangers.

In her annual State of the European Union address delivered in Strasbourg, von der Leyen expressed, "Many believe that the influence of Big Tech is too powerful to challenge. I hold a different view."

She emphasized, "We should not accept features that promote addiction, nor should we allow children to be exposed to increasingly extreme content. Additionally, we cannot tolerate the misuse of girls' images for AI-generated sexual content."

Under her proposal, children aged 13 to 15 would be allowed to create 'mini accounts' under the supervision of guardians, with restrictions on features and usage time.

For those aged 15 to 18, social media platforms would be required to implement a 'safe design,' according to von der Leyen. More details on this initiative are anticipated to be released soon.

The proposal will undergo discussions and voting among the EU's member nations, a process that could extend over several years and may lead to friction with US President Donald Trump, who has been critical of Europe's tech regulations.

Earlier this year, von der Leyen hinted at this plan, advocating for a gradual introduction of social media to children.

While platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok already prohibit users under 13 from creating accounts, they have faced criticism for not effectively enforcing these rules.

However, some experts argue that the commission's approach does not address the underlying issues related to the social media industry's business practices, which often prioritize user engagement through addictive content and advertising.

Simeon de Brouwer, a policy advisor at the digital rights organization EDRi, stated, "This plan merely postpones young people's exposure to online risks without tackling the business model that drives these issues. Platforms will inevitably target them as soon as they surpass the age limit."

This initiative is part of a larger global effort to enhance online safety for youth and marks the first attempt to establish a uniform age restriction for social media across the EU.

Countries like Spain and Portugal have already implemented their own measures to restrict teen access to social media, reflecting similar regulatory actions in nations such as Australia and New Zealand.

Some initiatives have faced challenges; for instance, France's highest court recently invalidated a law prohibiting children under 15 from using social media, citing violations of fundamental freedoms. French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to revise this proposal.

In the United States, Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, recently agreed to pay up to $18 billion and enhance child safety measures on its platforms to settle a lawsuit concerning teen social media addiction.

Following von der Leyen's address, Manfred Weber, leader of the largest faction in the European Parliament, suggested that the EU should emulate Australia's approach by allowing citizens to disable social media algorithms.

"Elon Musk may not appreciate this, but that could be a reason to pursue it," he remarked.

Von der Leyen also addressed the growing concerns surrounding artificial intelligence, indicating that the commission would engage with leading AI firms to discuss strategies for regulating advanced AI development.

She stated that the EU aims to collaborate with 'like-minded partners' such as Canada and the UK, focusing on model evaluation, verification, early warning systems, AI security, and more.