EU experts deliver report urging age limits on social media for minors

A panel of experts handed a report to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, recommending that the EU set a minimum age for access to social‑media platforms. The advisers, including German child‑psychiatrist Jörg Fegert and French epidemiologist Maria Melchior, argue that age‑based restrictions could protect children from addiction, mental‑health harms and exposure to harmful content. The commission is expected to consider the recommendations this week and could propose EU‑wide legislation by autumn, aiming to avoid a patchwork of national rules.

The issue is part of a global wave: more than 20 countries have already enacted or are debating bans or age checks for users under 15‑16. Australia, Brazil, China, Indonesia and Malaysia have active restrictions; Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Greece, Austria, Slovenia, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, Norway, Canada and the United Kingdom plan similar measures. Many governments cite the Australian model, which barred under‑16s from social media in December 2025, as a benchmark.

In parallel, the European Commission has opened formal proceedings against Meta Platforms under the Digital Services Act, accusing Instagram and Facebook of designing addictive interfaces that target minors. The investigation could result in fines of up to billions of euros if the companies are found to breach the DSA.

Together, the expert report and the DSA case signal a coordinated push in Europe and elsewhere to curb children’s unsupervised use of social‑media services.