EU Expert Panel Presents Recommendations for a Minimum Age on Social Media

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the protection of children and young people in the digital space as one of the EU's central tasks. "Die Intelligenz unserer Kinder und Jugendlichen ist nicht käuflich, und ihre Gefühle dürfen weder von amerikanischen Plattformen noch von chinesischen Algorithmen manipuliert werden," so Macron, who also addressed the consultations in Brussels. France had pushed for stricter European rules in recent months.

Several EU member states have already taken corresponding steps. According to the government, France is planning to ban the use of social media for under-15-year-olds from September. Spain has presented a draft law permitting social networks only from the age of 16. According to the Commission, Greece, Denmark, and Austria are also pursuing a similar path.

German Approach with Tiered Safety Modes

German Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) intends to advocate in Brussels for the German approach, which provides for tiered safety modes for young people up to the age of 18. Prien said she had the impression that in all European countries there was a firm determination "hier zu strengeren und besser wirksamen Regelungen zu kommen." At the same time, she pointed out that the arguments for delayed access by young people to social media were "zunehmend an Gewicht" gaining.

The EU Commission had most recently warned the member states against overly blanket age limits and instead recommended a tiered system. "Wir müssen Ordnung in das System bringen," demanded von der Leyen with a view to the existing national differences. A patchwork of different regulations was to be prevented in Europe.

Risks for Minors Online

In substance, the experts point to risks such as minors' access to pornographic content, depictions of violence, and criminal activities via the platforms. "Diese Plattformen bieten kriminellen Aktivitäten, Pornografie und Gewalt einen Zufluchtsort, vor allem zum Schaden unserer Kinder," the report states. In addition, algorithms were being used deliberately to bind young users to the services.

The EU Commission emphasizes that far-reaching digital laws such as the Digital Services Act and the AI Act are already in force. The new recommendations were intended to supplement the existing body of rules with clear age standards and protection mechanisms for minors. A final decision on the precise age limit and the design of the safety modes remains open in the ongoing legislative process.

Observers in Brussels assume that the negotiations between the EU Parliament and the member states will last several more months. Until a Europe-wide regulation comes into force, national go-it-alone measures such as those in France and Spain may continue to remain in place.