The European Union will move forward with plans to ban social media for children under 13 and limit access for those aged 13 to 15 under parental supervision, according to Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president. The proposal, set to be formally presented on Thursday, would require platforms to prove their products are safe for minors and would ban addictive design features such as infinite scrolling for children. Von der Leyen cited the tragic case of a 14-year-old Belgian girl who took her own life after being bullied online, emphasizing the need for stricter protections.

The plan, part of the proposed 'KIDS Act,' would allow only 'mini accounts' for children aged 13 to 15, with time limits and parental oversight. Children aged 15 to 18 would be subject to 'safe design' obligations. The EU has faced pressure from member states including France, Denmark, and Greece to act on online harms for children. The proposal would require approval from the European Parliament and 27 member states before becoming law.

Digital and children's rights groups have raised concerns about the practicality of the new rules and the privacy implications of an age-check app the EU is preparing to roll out. Agustin Reyna of the European consumer organisation BEUC warned that age verification is not a 'silver bullet' and could raise serious data protection issues. The proposal faces potential delays as negotiations between EU capitals and the European Parliament could take months.

Von der Leyen also highlighted the broader issue of addictive design, which she said harms not just children but everyone. She pledged to submit the Digital Fairness Act to the European Parliament this year, aiming to address features that encourage overuse. The EU has already required Meta, TikTok, and other platforms to change their 'addictive' design under the Digital Services Act, but changes have taken longer than expected.

The EU's approach to regulating social media reflects growing global concern over the impact of digital platforms on children's mental and physical health. Australia became the first country to ban social media for under-16s in 2025, prompting similar moves elsewhere. The EU's plan underscores the increasing role of governments in shaping the digital environment for minors.

What remains unknown is how the EU will enforce the new rules and whether the age-check app will be implemented without significant privacy risks. The effectiveness of the 'mini accounts' system and the extent to which platforms will comply with the 'safe design' requirements are also unclear. The proposal's success will depend on the cooperation of tech companies and the ability of regulators to monitor compliance across the bloc.

The EU's decision to ban social media for under-13s marks a significant shift in digital regulation, reflecting a growing recognition of the risks posed by online platforms to young users. While the plan aims to protect children, its implementation and long-term impact will be closely watched by policymakers, tech companies, and advocacy groups.