The European Union has announced a ban social media for those under 13 across the bloc and will impose restrictions on digital technology for older children, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
“No social media under the age of 13. No personal account under the age of 15,” von der Leyen said.
The EU’s move comes amid growing concerns about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health, privacy and safety. It highlighted the rising cases of cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content and the addictive usage patterns among children.
Von der Leyen emphasized that the new rules are designed to protect Europe’s children from the dangers of unregulated digital spaces, while encouraging healthier online habits.
“I am aware that many perceive the power of big tech as overwhelming and impossible to roll back. I disagree. Europe has the power to act. It is us who decide the rules, not Big Tech,” she added.
She also talked about artificial intelligence and the potential risks it poses to humanity, saying the Commission would discuss efforts to slow down advanced AI development with the leading AI companies.
The EU is pushing protection of young people online as it introduces a wide age limit on social media.
France, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Portugal have already taken the steps to ban those under 15 from social media platforms.