Von der Leyen campaigns for EU-wide social media age limit of 13

The background to the push is a growing body of data on the effects of intensive screen use on young people. The EU Commission has repeatedly referred in recent months to studies suggesting a link between early social media use and sleep disorders, attention problems and an increased risk of psychological distress. A uniform age limit is intended to prevent children from being protected differently in different member states.

Dispute between member states and Parliament

Within the EU Parliament and among member states, the position is not undisputed. Some governments, including France, have recently gone it alone nationally and in some cases discussed stricter age limits. Proponents of an EU-wide rule argue that only a common framework can secure the impact of existing national measures and increase pressure on the platforms.

The Commission President announced that she would further flesh out the proposals in the coming weeks and coordinate them with the European Parliament and the Council. A phased procedure is planned: providers would in future have to integrate reliable age verification, face hefty fines for violations, and give parents clear control options.

Reactions and criticism

Von der Leyen also pointed to existing initiatives such as the Digital Services Act and the AI Act, which a social media rule should seamlessly build on. This is intended to avoid new requirements creating a separate bureaucracy system; instead, existing structures of platform regulation would be expanded.

Children's protection organizations reacted with cautious optimism to the announcement. They welcomed the involvement of parents but cautioned that an age limit alone would not be enough. What is needed, they said, are also educational programs, low-threshold support services for families and independent research into long-term effects.

Critics, on the other hand, see risks for informational self-determination. They warn that mandatory age verification could restrict anonymity on the internet and create new data flows. The EU Commission must therefore clarify how data protection will be safeguarded during verification.

Outlook on the legislative process

Regardless of the further legislative process, the debate is politically charged. It ties in with demands from several member states to take stronger action against disinformation and manipulative content, and comes at a time when the EU is seeking to redefine its digital sovereignty.

What is clear: the discussion about a Europe-wide social media age limit is likely to intensify in Brussels in the coming months. The Commission plans to present a formal legislative proposal by the end of the year, which the European Parliament and the member states will then negotiate.