EU announces plan to restrict social media access for children

The European Union has unveiled a proposal to limit social media use for minors across its member states, aiming to bolster child wellbeing and online safety. Under the plan, children under 13 would be barred from accessing platforms, while those aged 13 to 15 would be permitted one hour of daily access through “mini accounts” linked to a parent or guardian’s profile. The European Commission said social media firms must demonstrate that their services are safe by design. Ursula von der Leyen stated the measure would “put parents backmost successful the driving seat”. She added that the initiative, dubbed the EU Kids Act, would “springiness parents “the tools to assistance their children navigate a safer world”.” The act specifies that only users aged 15 and older may create independent social media accounts. Von der Leyen had previously called for a societal media “delay” for children in Europe, noting in May that “the treatment astur a minimum property for societal media tin nary longer beryllium ignored”.” The framework was formally presented on Thursday and had been previewed in her annual address to the European Parliament on Wednesday. Several member states, including France and Spain, have already announced comparable national restrictions targeting youth social media consumption.