BRUSSELS: The European Union is weighing whether to restrict or ban children’s access to social media as it seeks stronger measures to protect minors from harmful online content and addictive platform designs.
An expert panel made up of doctors, academics, youth representatives and parents is expected to deliver recommendations today to guide the European Commission’s next steps.
The debate gained momentum after Greece, France and Spain pushed for limits on minors’ access to social media. Pressure has increased on Brussels to consider a bloc-wide approach similar to Australia’s social media ban for children.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has previously supported limiting children’s access and said a legal proposal is expected this summer.
EU officials said Brussels could propose an age limit, although no final decision has been taken.
The bloc is also increasing pressure on major platforms. Facebook and Instagram were recently told to address “addictive” features, following a similar warning to TikTok earlier this year.
One option under discussion is a minimum legal age for social media use. Another is to restrict access to specific services or features considered harmful, such as infinite scroll, surveillance advertising and manipulative design.
France has proposed restrictions for children aged 15 and under, while Spain wants a ban for under-16s. Estonia opposes a blanket ban.
Digital rights groups favour a safety-by-design approach, arguing harmful features should be removed for all users.
