Brussels: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday called for age-appropriate restrictions on social media platforms, saying the EU should establish a minimum age for children's access to services with addictive and harmful features. Speaking in Brussels alongside the co-chairs of the European Commission's Special Panel on Child Safety Online, von der Leyen emphasized the need for online platforms to protect children and be accountable for the risks their services pose.
According to Anadolu Agency, von der Leyen stated, "It is very clear that we need age-appropriate restrictions to platforms." She clarified that the issue is not about whether children can access social media, but rather when social media can access children. She highlighted the shift in debate from the risks children face online to how policymakers can ensure "a safer start online," citing the EU's planned age verification app as a potential tool for enforcing age limits.
Von der Leyen pointed out that research suggests children under three should have no screen exposure, while older children should use social media under supervision for limited periods. She proposed that the EU first identify digital services posing the greatest risks to children, labeled as "social media plus," which includes platforms with addictive features and inappropriate content. This step would precede considering phased access for varying age groups.
She stressed that platforms, as the architects of these systems, must demonstrate that their services are harmless. Von der Leyen asserted that in Europe, product developers are responsible for safety, and the same standard should apply to big tech. She mentioned that the European Commission will review the expert panel's recommendations and present legislative proposals after the summer.
The call for action coincides with a new Eurobarometer survey revealing substantial public support for stronger EU measures to protect children online. According to the survey, 63% of Europeans favor EU rules restricting children's access to social media by age, with 36% supporting an outright ban below a certain age and 27% backing delayed access. Top concerns among citizens include cyberbullying (71%), online grooming and sexual exploitation (70%), exposure to harmful content (69%), and misuse of children's personal data (69%).