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EU Commission plans minimum age of 13 for using social media

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced EU-wide social media age limits in her State of the Union address delivered in Strasbourg:

Under the plans announced by the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen children will have access to social media under parental supervision from 13 years old. (Photo: Pascal Bastien)
Under the plans announced by the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen children will have access to social media under parental supervision from 13 years old. (Photo: Pascal Bastien)

Strasbourg, France (dpa) - The European Commission plans to ban the use of social media for children under the age of 13, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday.

"I am aware that many perceive the power of big tech as overwhelming, and impossible to roll back. I disagree," von der Leyen said in an address to EU lawmakers in Strasbourg.

Under the plans, children will have access to social media under parental supervision from 13 years old, but will only be able to create a personal account once they turn 15.

Major social media platforms already set a minimum age of 13 in their terms and conditions. EU regulators have however repeatedly criticized them for failing to enforce the age limit.

The bill is expected to be presented in more detail on Thursday.

The European Parliament and EU countries are then to scrutinize and amend the proposal. It could take months or even years before an agreement on the final version of the law is reached.