European Commission softens proposed social media ban for children

The European Commission is reconsidering a strict ban on children using social media, moving toward a more flexible approach. Under the proposed new guidelines, children under the age of 13 could be permitted to access social media platforms provided they have parental consent.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to present this softened initiative during her annual State of the Union address on September 16. The shift comes amid concerns that a mandatory age limit might conflict with the fundamental rights of EU citizens. This decision follows a French court ruling in August that found President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to ban social media for children under 15 to be in violation of EU law.

Member states currently lack a unified position on age limits. France supports a limit of 15, Germany supports 13, Austria supports 14, and Spain supports 16. Meanwhile, Estonia has suggested focusing on mitigating the harms of social media rather than implementing a blanket ban.