The European Union has proposed banning social media for children under 13, joining a growing list of countries moving to restrict minors’ access to online platforms.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the plan in the European Parliament on Wednesday, which would also limit access to supervised use only for children up to age 15.
The move follows mounting global pressure over the impact of social media on children’s mental health and wellbeing. More than 20 countries have now taken steps to block or restrict children’s access to social platforms, according to AFP.
Seven countries already have measures in force or due to take effect, targeting under-15s or under-16s. Australia became the first to impose a blanket ban, for under-16s, at the end of 2025, though enforcement data released in August suggests many teenagers have found ways around it.
Brazil has required platforms since March to link accounts of users under 16 to a parent’s account and to verify users’ ages. China has tightened restrictions in stages since 2019, first on gaming and later, from 2023, on social media and streaming.
Indonesia has barred under-16s since March, and Malaysia followed with legislation in June. California has also recently tightened rules on minors’ social media access.
