German Minister Karin Prien pushes EU child‑online safety law

Federal Minister of Education and Family Karin Prien travelled to Brussels to press for a coordinated European approach to protect children on social media. She warned against a fragmented system and called for binding EU standards under the Digital Services Act, urging that concrete legislation follow the Commission’s expert recommendations after the summer break.

The Commission plans to release detailed proposals soon, building on expert advice that children under 13 should only use social networks with parental supervision and that any broader access be linked to strict safety standards. Austria is drafting a law to ban platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat for users under 14, with implementation slated for early 2027, while France is considering a 15‑year age limit for unrestricted use. Consumer groups oppose blanket bans, favouring tighter rules for platform operators. Germany and France jointly seek an EU action plan to combat digital violence online.