EU President Von der Leyen Calls for Delayed Social Media Access for Children

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has urged the EU to implement measures restricting children's access to social media platforms. She announced that an expert panel will deliver recommendations on protecting minors online by July.

At an EU summit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the need for the EU to establish age-appropriate restrictions on social media access for children. She highlighted growing concerns about the impact of digital platforms on young people's mental health and development.

Von der Leyen revealed that a specialized expert panel has been tasked with developing concrete steps to safeguard minors in the digital environment. The panel is expected to present its recommendations by July, providing EU member states with evidence-based guidelines for policy implementation.

The initiative reflects mounting pressure across Europe to regulate tech companies' practices regarding child users. Several EU countries have already begun exploring individual approaches to child protection online, ranging from age verification systems to content filtering mechanisms.

The announcement signals the European Union's commitment to balancing digital innovation with child safety. Once the expert panel delivers its findings in July, EU institutions will need to determine which recommendations can be incorporated into existing digital regulations or require new legislative frameworks.

This move positions the EU as a leader in digital regulation, following similar concerns raised by child safety advocates, parents' groups, and public health officials across member states who worry about unrestricted access to social platforms for younger audiences.