How the EU wants to ban social media for children

A new blueprint for minors online

The European Commission has put forward a plan to reshape how children and teenagers use social media and screens, built around four age bands. The youngest group, under three, would be steered away from screens entirely. From three to thirteen, children would not be allowed their own social media profiles or personal devices, though parents could open accounts for them to watch child-friendly films, limited to one hour a day.

Teenagers and parental controls

For those aged thirteen to fifteen, the proposal envisions "mini-accounts" tied to a parent's profile, with restricted social features and the same one-hour daily guideline. Older teens, fifteen to eighteen, could create their own accounts without those constraints. A guiding idea is that online services should be safe by default, rather than requiring users to opt into protection.

Platforms take on the burden

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the legislation flips the burden of proof, forcing platforms to show their designs are safe. She described it as giving parents more control and practical tools to help their children navigate the internet. The plan also calls for age verification systems and would prohibit addictive design elements such as endless scrolling, reward loops, and notifications during sleep hours.

What happens next

The proposal now heads to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, where member state ministers will review it. How the Commission would enforce the rules, especially the screen time limits, remains unclear and has not yet been detailed.