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EU chief weighs age restrictions for children using social media

Ottumwa Courier· July 13, 2026

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for new restrictions on children's access to social media following a report from a special EU panel. The panel recommends forbidding access for children under 13 until technology companies can provide definitive proof that their platforms are safe for young users. This move reflects a growing global trend of regulatory scrutiny aimed at protecting developing brains from the potential harms of digital platforms.

During a presentation at EU headquarters in Brussels on July 13, 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen joined co-chairs Maria Melchior and Jörg M. Fegert to discuss a report on children's safety online. The special EU panel proposed that access to social media should be restricted for children under the age of 13. Crucially, the report suggests that the burden of proof for safety must rest with the social media platforms themselves, requiring them to demonstrate their products are not harmful before allowing young users to join.

Von der Leyen expressed deep concerns regarding the impact of social media on young, developing brains, advocating for a phased approach to platform access. She compared the proposed age-based restrictions to those currently in place for driving or alcohol consumption, suggesting that different age ranges should have different levels of access. Beyond the under-13 ban, the panel's report also explores additional restrictions for children over the age of 13 to further mitigate risks associated with digital engagement.

The European Union's consideration of these measures aligns with a broader international movement to regulate youth social media usage. Countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and Indonesia have already implemented bans for children under 15 or 16 on major platforms including TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Given von der Leyen's significant influence within the 27-nation bloc, these proposals could lead to standardized, stringent regulations across the European market, forcing major tech companies to overhaul their safety protocols and age-verification systems.

Read the full story at Ottumwa Courier

Summary generated by RabbitReport AI from public reporting. The full article and original reporting belong to Ottumwa Courier.

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