The European Union is drafting legislation to prohibit children under 13 from using social‑media apps, with a “phased and gradual access” model for teens aged 13‑16. While most platforms already state a minimum age of 13, enforcement is weak; the EU proposal would give the rule legal force and require proof that platforms are age‑appropriate before granting access to older minors.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the move is about protecting children, not restricting their right to use social media. The plan would allow supervised use for under‑13s and conditional access from 13, based on platform safety evidence. The EU has also warned Meta that infinite scrolling features could breach EU law.

If adopted, the ban would join a growing list of countries—Australia, the UK, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Malaysia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, UAE, and Vietnam—that have set or are considering age limits. Similar pressure is building in the United States, where a 2024 9to5Mac reader survey showed strong support for comparable restrictions.