EU plans total social media ban for under 13s as von der Leyen targets big tech

The European Union is moving forward with plans to ban children under 13 from using social media, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday.

Speaking during her annual state of the union address in Strasbourg, von der Leyen said social media platforms were “depriving children of their childhood” and must prove their products are safe.

Under the planned legislation, children under 13 would face a total social media ban, while those aged 13 to 15 could be allowed “mini accounts” supervised by parents and subject to app time limits.

The European Commission is expected to publish its social media plan on Thursday.

Any legislation would need approval from the European Parliament and the EU’s 27 member states before becoming law.

Von der Leyen also said the commission’s upcoming Digital Fairness Act would target features including addictive design, which she said was “harming everyone”.

The proposals are part of a broader push to strengthen regulation of major technology platforms and protect children online.

During Wednesday’s address, von der Leyen also outlined plans for a European heatwave strategy and an emergency mechanism to respond to sudden increases in migration.

She also called for an “emergency security protocol” allowing EU countries to convene in response to hybrid threats.