Von der Leyen introduced a report from two experts recommending a tiered system, where children under 13 would be permitted to use social media only for limited times under the supervision of parents, caregivers, and educators. These restrictions would gradually ease as teenagers age.
“It is evident that we require age-appropriate limitations on platforms,” von der Leyen stated to reporters in Brussels.
“The issue is no longer about whether children encounter online risks, but rather what steps we can take to ensure a safer online experience for them,” she remarked.
Von der Leyen indicated her inclination to adhere to the experts’ recommendations and mentioned that the Commission would unveil a concrete proposal after the summer, likely during her state of the union address in September.
Countries such as Australia, Britain, China, India, and the United States have already enacted social media restrictions or are contemplating them, primarily targeting TikTok, Alphabet’s YouTube, and Meta’s Instagram and Facebook.
The companies did not respond immediately to emailed inquiries for comment. Social media platforms have asserted that they implement measures to safeguard younger users and that many already have age restrictions in place.
“We must first identify the types of platforms that pose risks to our children. Evidence suggests that this issue primarily concerns social media platforms, along with other providers that feature age-inappropriate and addictive qualities. Thus, consider it social media and beyond,” von der Leyen noted.
“Once we have clearly defined this category, I believe we should evaluate phased and gradual access for different age groups,” she added.
