EU eyes social media curbs for children

The European ⁠Union will move to limit young ⁠children’s access to social media across the 27-member bloc, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday, in what would be the biggest such effort to date to guard against online dangers.

Von ‌der Leyen presented a paper from two experts recommending a tiered approach, with under-13s only allowed to use social media for limited periods under the supervision of parents, carers and teachers. The curbs would be lifted gradually as teenagers got older.

“It is clear we need age-appropriate restrictions to platforms,” von der ⁠Leyen told reporters in Brussels.

“The question is no longer if children face ‌risks online, but what can we do to give children a safer start online,” she said.

Von der Leyen indicated that she was ‌likely to follow the experts’ suggestions and that the Commission would present ⁠a concrete proposal ⁠after the summer. She is expected to announce it at her State of the Union address ‌in September.