The proposed restrictions target addictive platforms, including YouTube, and advocate for design changes to eliminate features like infinite scrolling. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has signaled strong support for the measure, drawing parallels between social media access and restricted activities like driving or purchasing alcohol. She may introduce formal legislative proposals during her upcoming State of the Union address in September.
Brussels weighs age limits for social media access
A panel of experts commissioned by the European Union has recommended a formal ban on social media use for children under 13. With more than half of European teenagers reporting emotional harm from online platforms, the European Commission is now evaluating a standardized age-verification framework to curb these risks.
Implementation remains a point of contention among member states. While a majority favor the move, nations such as Estonia remain skeptical, and Italy has pushed for a lower age threshold. To facilitate enforcement, the Commission has developed a digital identity verification app. This tool allows users to verify their age through passports or ID cards without sharing additional personal data with platforms. Although security researchers have already flagged early vulnerabilities in the software, officials have a narrow window to refine the system before potential adoption.
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