BRUSSELS: The European Union (EU) is edging closer to introducing stricter safeguards on children’s use of social media, with new restrictions potentially emerging as early as this summer following the recommendations of an expert panel.
The panel, established by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, is expected to present its findings on July 13. Its recommendations are likely to shape a broader EU strategy aimed at improving online safety for minors, with a formal policy announcement anticipated in September.
The debate has gained momentum after Australia became the first country to prohibit children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. Several EU member states, including Denmark and Greece, have since called for similar measures across Europe.
These range from imposing minimum age requirements for accessing social media to restricting particular platform features considered harmful to young users.
Speaking recently, von der Leyen emphasised that the central concern was not simply when children should be allowed to use social media, but rather when digital platforms should be allowed access to children and teenagers.
Her remarks reflect growing concern within European institutions over the impact of online services on the well-being of young people.
The European Commission is also facing increasing pressure from national governments. France has drafted its own legislation to strengthen child protection online. However, Brussels has asked Paris to revise the proposal, arguing that parts of it fall within the Commission’s regulatory authority.
EU Consumer Protection Commissioner Michael McGrath said the bloc’s efforts would extend beyond social media platforms alone.
He stressed that, regardless of any future age limits, policymakers must address the commercial models and design practices that shape children’s daily online experiences.
The Commission has been closely monitoring Australia’s experience with enforcing age restrictions, including the practical challenges that have emerged.
This has strengthened support within Brussels for a risk-based regulatory model that targets harmful design elements rather than applying universal bans.
Similar initiatives are gaining traction internationally. Britain and Indonesia are pursuing tighter controls on children’s online access, while several EU countries, including Greece and Spain, have advanced proposals for stricter regulations. Estonia, however, remains opposed to introducing broad restrictions.
Public opinion across Europe appears to support stronger intervention. A recent YouGov survey conducted in France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain found that a majority of respondents favoured the removal of features such as endless scrolling and personalised content feeds, which critics argue encourage excessive screen time and addictive behaviour among young users.
Digital rights organisations, however, caution against relying solely on age-based bans. They argue that the EU should instead make greater use of its existing legal powers to require technology companies to create safer digital environments for children.
Simeon de Brouwer of the digital rights organisation EDRi said excluding children from online platforms was not the solution, insisting that stronger enforcement of existing legislation would deliver better protection.
McGrath said forthcoming consumer protection legislation, expected later this year, would formally recognise children as vulnerable consumers and require digital services to incorporate child safety into their products from the outset.
Supporters of stronger regulation argue that responsibility should rest primarily with technology companies. According to the YouGov poll, three-quarters of respondents believe platforms should not be accessible to minors unless companies can demonstrate that their services are safe.
The EU already possesses significant regulatory powers under its digital content rules, which require the largest online platforms to tackle harmful material more effectively and prohibit targeted advertising aimed at children.
Critics, however, argue that enforcement has not gone far enough. While the Commission has pressed TikTok to address concerns over potentially addictive design features and required Meta to strengthen age-verification measures, campaigners say more decisive action is needed.
An EU official said the Commission is expected to conclude its investigation into Meta’s Facebook and Instagram services before the end of the summer, with findings focusing on whether aspects of the platforms contribute to addictive behaviour among children.
