The European Commission will propose new rules later this year to restrict children’s access to social media platforms across the European Union, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, following recommendations from an expert panel focused on protecting minors online.

The proposed measures aim to strengthen safeguards for young users by introducing age-based access limits and placing greater responsibility on technology companies to ensure their platforms are safe for children.

New age-based social media restrictions

Under the expert panel’s recommendations, children under the age of 13 would only be allowed limited and supervised access to social media platforms.

The restrictions would gradually ease as children grow older, creating a phased approach to online access based on age and maturity.

The panel also recommended requiring social media companies to demonstrate that their services are safe for young users before granting them access, shifting more responsibility from parents to platform operators.

EU joins global push for online child safety

The European Union joins a growing number of countries seeking tighter regulation of children’s use of social media.

Australia became the first country to introduce a nationwide ban on social media for children under 16 last year. Meanwhile, France, Greece and several other European nations have approved or are considering similar age-based restrictions.

Governments in the United Kingdom, Canada and other countries are also exploring tougher measures designed to better protect minors from online harms.

Proposal expected in September

Von der Leyen said the European Commission will present its legislative proposal after the summer.

The draft legislation is expected to be unveiled during her annual State of the Union address in September, outlining the EU’s next steps to improve online safety for children and increase accountability for social media platforms.