EU proposes social media ban for under-13s, supervised access to 15

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the EU Kids Act on September 16 during her State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The proposal would prohibit social media access for children under 13 and require supervised "mini-accounts" with limited functions and time restrictions for ages 13 to 15.

For teenagers aged 15 to 18, platforms must adopt "safety by design" standards. The rules extend beyond social networks to video-sharing platforms, AI chatbots, and online games. Platforms will bear the legal obligation to verify users' ages, reversing the current burden of proof.

“It is not about whether our minors have access to social media. It is about when and how we allow social media to have access to our minors.”

Von der Leyen cited the case of Olea, a 14-year-old Belgian girl who died by suicide last month after online harassment. "We are witnessing a great capture of our children — their attention, concentration, and minds," she said. The Commission will formally propose the legislation on September 17.

More than 20 countries have moved to restrict children's social media access, according to an AFP tally. Australia banned platforms for under-16s in December 2025, though circumvention remains widespread. France and Spain have pushed for a minimum age of 15 across the EU.

The proposal now goes to the European Parliament and Council of the EU for negotiation and approval. Member states will debate the scope and vote on eventual adoption, a process that could take months.