EU Considers New Regulations to Restrict Children's Social Media Use for Child Protection
The European Commission is considering new regulations to restrict children's social media use, with proposals possibly coming within months. This move aims to enhance online safety for children and is part of the EU's broader efforts to regulate major technology platforms.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 19:03
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 19:32 (29 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 12, 2026 at 19:41 (9 min after Collected)
Central News Agency (CNA), Copenhagen, May 12, comprehensive foreign reports – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated today that the EU should consider restricting children's social media use, with related new regulations possibly being proposed within months at the earliest.
Agence France-Presse reported that von der Leyen has appointed an expert group to submit a report by July, assessing what measures the EU should take to protect minors online, which may include a social media ban.
Speaking at a summit in Copenhagen, the Danish capital, von der Leyen said: "Without prejudging the conclusions of the expert group, I think we must consider a 'delayed use of social media' approach. Based on the assessment results, we may propose a bill this summer."
She said: "The discussion about the minimum age for social media use can no longer be ignored." She added that Denmark, France, and nine other member states are pushing for a ban on social media use for adolescents below a certain age.
Von der Leyen said: "The question is not whether young people can use social media, but whether social media should reach young people."
As the EU's digital regulator, the European Commission has launched investigations into several major global online platforms, including TikTok and Meta's Facebook and Instagram, to assess whether they provide adequate protection for children.
Last month, the EU determined that Meta failed to effectively prevent children under 13 from using Facebook and Instagram; in February this year, it issued a rare warning to the Chinese short video platform TikTok, demanding it improve its 'addictive design,' otherwise it could face heavy penalties.
Von der Leyen also defended the 'Digital Services Act,' which underpins these investigations; this law was strongly criticized by the Trump administration of the United States.
She stated: "We have proven that despite many obstacles, we will move forward. The rules have been set by us, this is the law, and violators will be held accountable." Von der Leyen did not directly respond to U.S. criticism. (Compiler: Liu Wen-yu) 1150512
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Agence France-Presse reported that von der Leyen has appointed an expert group to submit a report by July, assessing what measures the EU should take to protect minors online, which may include a social media ban.
Speaking at a summit in Copenhagen, the Danish capital, von der Leyen said: "Without prejudging the conclusions of the expert group, I think we must consider a 'delayed use of social media' approach. Based on the assessment results, we may propose a bill this summer."
She said: "The discussion about the minimum age for social media use can no longer be ignored." She added that Denmark, France, and nine other member states are pushing for a ban on social media use for adolescents below a certain age.
Von der Leyen said: "The question is not whether young people can use social media, but whether social media should reach young people."
As the EU's digital regulator, the European Commission has launched investigations into several major global online platforms, including TikTok and Meta's Facebook and Instagram, to assess whether they provide adequate protection for children.
Last month, the EU determined that Meta failed to effectively prevent children under 13 from using Facebook and Instagram; in February this year, it issued a rare warning to the Chinese short video platform TikTok, demanding it improve its 'addictive design,' otherwise it could face heavy penalties.
Von der Leyen also defended the 'Digital Services Act,' which underpins these investigations; this law was strongly criticized by the Trump administration of the United States.
She stated: "We have proven that despite many obstacles, we will move forward. The rules have been set by us, this is the law, and violators will be held accountable." Von der Leyen did not directly respond to U.S. criticism. (Compiler: Liu Wen-yu) 1150512
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.