EU to propose rules limiting children's social media use

The European Union is preparing to propose new restrictions on children's access to social media, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Monday, July 13, 2026. The announcement came hours after an expert panel she convened delivered its recommendations on shielding minors from harmful online content.

The panel, composed of doctors, academics, youth representatives, and parents, met three times this year, with its final meeting in June. While the Commission has not released the panel's full report, officials indicated the proposal will likely focus on establishing an age limit, though the specifics remain unsettled. A Commission spokesperson stated they are exploring possibilities to make minors safer online, adding that more can and must be done.

This initiative follows more than a year of growing pressure from several member states. Greece, France, and Spain led a push in 2025 for restrictions, with Spain advocating for barring users under 16 and France proposing a prohibition for those aged 15 and under. The campaign gained a tangible precedent with Australia's ban on users under 16, which took effect in December 2025. However, achieving a unified EU rule is...