The European Union is preparing a fresh push to rein in the impact of social media on children, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signalling that new legislation – including restricting access for younger users – could be proposed within months.
Speaking at a summit on artificial intelligence and children in Copenhagen on Tuesday, von der Leyen said the debate over a minimum age for social media use “can no longer be ignored” as concerns grow about the effects of online platforms on young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
The Commission president has asked an expert panel to deliver recommendations by July on how the EU should strengthen protections for minors online, including examining whether a ban or delay in access to social media for younger teenagers should be considered.
“Without pre-empting the panel’s findings, I believe we must consider a social media delay,” von der Leyen said. “Depending on the results, we could come with a legal proposal this summer.”
She pointed to growing support among member states for tougher rules, noting that Denmark and nine other EU countries, including France, are already pushing for restrictions on teenagers below a certain age.
“The question is not whether young people should have access to social media,” she said. “The question is whether social media should have access to young people.”
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Addictive design
Von der Leyen also confirmed that the European Commission is preparing broader regulation aimed at what it describes as the “addictive and harmful design practices” used by major social media companies including TikTok, Meta and X.
The new measures are expected to form part of the Digital Fairness Act, due to be proposed later this year. According to von der Leyen, the legislation would impose stricter limits on the use of artificial intelligence in social media and further strengthen the EU’s existing Digital Services Act.
The Commission has increasingly focused on the impact of platform features such as autoplay, endless scrolling and push notifications, which critics argue are designed to maximise user engagement, particularly among younger audiences.
“Sleep deprivation, depression, anxiety, self-harm, addictive behaviour, cyberbullying, grooming, exploitation, suicide. Risks are multiplying fast,” von der Leyen told the summit.
“These risks are the reality of the digital world. They are not accidental. They are the result of business models that treat our children’s attention as a commodity.”
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Under the Digital Services Act, the EU has already launched investigations into several large technology firms over child safety concerns. The Commission is currently examining TikTok, X and Meta’s Facebook and Instagram platforms.
Von der Leyen said Brussels was taking action against TikTok over what it sees as addictive design features, including endless scrolling and autoplay functions.
She also accused Meta of failing to properly enforce its own minimum age requirement of 13 on Facebook and Instagram.
Last month, the EU concluded that Meta was not doing enough to prevent children under 13 from accessing its platforms. Earlier this year, TikTok received a formal warning from Brussels over its design practices and was told it could face substantial fines unless changes were made.
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'We've set the rules'
The Commission has also opened proceedings against X over concerns linked to the use of its Grok artificial intelligence tool, including allegations of the creation of sexual images of women and children.
The EU’s tougher stance on digital regulation has attracted criticism from the administration of US President Donald Trump, particularly over the Digital Services Act and the bloc’s approach to regulating large American technology companies.
Von der Leyen, however, defended the EU’s position and insisted the bloc would continue enforcing its rules despite political pressure.
“We have shown that we will forge ahead despite the headwinds we face,” she said. “We’ve set the rules. It’s the law, and those who break it will be held accountable.”
(with newswires)
