The European Union is moving towards bloc-wide restrictions on social media use by children, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announcing plans to bar those under 13 from accessing social media platforms.
Addressing her state of the union speech in Strasbourg on Wednesday, von der Leyen said the EU would also restrict access for older children, including limits on personal accounts.
“No social media under the age of 13. No personal account under the age of 15,” she said.
Under the proposed framework, 13- and 14-year-olds would be allowed to use limited “mini accounts” under parental supervision. Their access would be restricted to certain features and capped at one hour a day.
The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, is set to propose a new Kids Act on Thursday. The legislation would also shift the burden of proof onto social media platforms, requiring them to demonstrate that their services are safe for minors.
The move comes as several EU member states have introduced or considered restrictions on social media use by teenagers. Australia became the first country to ban social media access for those under 16 in December 2025.
Defending the EU’s approach to regulating major technology companies, von der Leyen said, “Europe has the power to act. It is us who decide the rules, not Big Tech.”
