European Union President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday that children should be introduced to social media through a gradual, age-based approach.
To support future legislation with expert guidance, the EU chief appointed a panel comprising doctors, academics, youth representatives and parents. The group presented its recommendations on Monday.
According to von der Leyen, there is broad agreement that a minimum age should be established for joining social media platforms, along with safeguards tailored to different age groups.
She stressed that the debate is not about whether children should use social media, but rather about determining the conditions under which social media companies can reach young users.
The EU is expected to unveil a legislative proposal during the second half of the year, while von der Leyen indicated that more details on the planned restrictions could be outlined in September.
She suggested that access should be introduced progressively across different age groups, with children permitted to join only platforms that meet strict safety standards from the age of 13.
The expert report recommended that babies and toddlers should not be exposed to screens at all. For children aged three to 12, it advised supervised use of age-appropriate digital devices and social media under the guidance of parents or teachers.
For teenagers between 13 and 18, the panel proposed gradually increasing independence in using social media and other online platforms equipped with robust child safety protections.
Most major social media services, including TikTok as well as Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, already require users to be at least 13 years old.
Von der Leyen said online platforms must demonstrate that their services are safe for children, emphasising that companies operating in Europe are responsible for ensuring the safety of their products.
