EU Considers Social Media Ban for Children Under 13

The European Union's chief, Ursula von der Leyen, is considering new restrictions on social media use for children under 13. This proposal follows a recommendation from a special EU panel that social media platforms should be inaccessible to this age group until tech companies can demonstrate their services are safe by design. Von der Leyen, who has a medical background, expressed concerns about the impact of social media on young, developing brains, drawing parallels to age restrictions for driving or purchasing alcohol. She specifically highlighted "infinite scrolling" as an "addictive" feature that needs to be addressed by technology companies. The European Commission, the EU's executive branch, is expected to develop a formal proposal for the 27 member states to consider in the near future. Von der Leyen's policy initiatives often carry significant weight with member countries. The special panel's report, delivered to the EU chief this week, emphasized that the responsibility for proving platform safety should lie with the providers, not with regulators, parents, or children. This move by the EU aligns with a global trend of increasing scrutiny and regulation of social media platforms concerning child safety, with countries like Australia, the U.K., Turkey, and Indonesia already implementing bans or restrictions for users under 15 or 16.