The EU Plans to Restrict Minors' Access to Social Media

The European Union is preparing a new approach to protect minors online. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU is studying ways to limit access to social media for children and teenagers. A special working group is expected to draft specific proposals by the end of 2025.

One of the options under discussion is the “Australian model”: in Australia, children under 16 are banned from using most popular platforms, including Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X. This policy was introduced after growing concerns over cyberbullying, exposure to adult content and the addictive nature of social media algorithms.

The Australian rules faced fierce resistance from major tech companies. They argue that verifying the age of users is technically complicated. However, the Australian government’s own research concluded that there are no major technological obstacles to implementing effective age verification systems.

Von der Leyen emphasised that the EU will take a careful and balanced approach, consulting all stakeholders, but ultimately focusing on empowering parents and creating a safer digital environment for children. As a mother of seven and grandmother of four, she says she understands parents’ fears that their children are exposed to risks beyond their control.

Debate over such measures has been ongoing in Europe for years. In June, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France would introduce its own ban on social media for children under 15 if the EU does not take action at a bloc-wide level.