EU Advances Plans for Tighter Social Media Restrictions on Teens

The European Commission is moving forward with proposals to limit young people’s access to social media platforms, citing concerns over mental health and online harms.

In a statement on July 13, 2026, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted data showing that young people in Europe spend four to six hours daily on screens. She noted that almost 60% of young children have experienced emotional or psychosocial problems online. Von der Leyen emphasized that social media platforms were not designed with children’s wellbeing in mind.

The Commission is developing an age verification app to help enforce restrictions and is considering an under-16 ban on social media use, with some member states advocating for an under-15 threshold. The approach draws on models from Australia and the UK, both of which have implemented or planned similar age limits.

Von der Leyen acknowledged that parents should ultimately decide when children get smartphones but stressed the need for clear age limits on social media access. She described the current situation as allowing “big tech unrestricted access to our children,” leading to potential addiction and harm.

The Commission’s expert panel report will inform future policy. Broader rules under the Online Safety Act and Digital Services Act are expected to include stricter obligations for platforms regarding underage users.

However, questions remain about effectiveness. Previous implementations, such as in Australia, have shown that many teens bypass restrictions using workarounds or alternative apps. Critics argue that outright bans may drive young users toward less regulated platforms rather than eliminating access entirely.