New Social Media Restrictions Set to Impact Teens in Europe

The European Union is considering major new regulations aimed at limiting children’s and teenagers’ access to social media. This could involve setting age restrictions, implementing outright bans, and introducing phased access. Social media companies may also be required to demonstrate that their platforms are safe for younger users before they can be accessed.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen indicated that new legislation could be proposed within months, following the release of recommendations from a panel of experts. “This is not about whether children can access social media. It is about when social media can access our children,” von der Leyen stated.

The expert panel suggested a phased approach, recommending “no screens at all” for children under 3, supervised internet use for those under 13, and certain limitations for older teens. They also emphasized that social media platforms should prove their services are safe for younger audiences, a stance von der Leyen supports.

Von der Leyen mentioned that the Commission will review the report and present proposals “after the summer.” Any new legislation would require approval from the European Parliament and the EU’s 27 member states before it can be enacted across the region. A formal proposal would significantly bolster global initiatives aimed at regulating children’s social media use, aligning with similar efforts in countries like the UK and Australia.

These new regulations would place considerable pressure on platforms to ensure their services are safe for younger users. A preliminary investigation in the EU recently found that Meta violated the Digital Services Act due to the “addictive” nature of Facebook and Instagram, with a similar conclusion reached regarding TikTok earlier this year.