EU wants 13+ age restriction for social media

MEPs adopted a non-legislative resolution calling for stronger protections for minors online, citing concerns about the physical and mental health risks of social media and other addictive design features.

Under the Parliament’s proposal, an EU-wide digital minimum age of 16 would be the default threshold for access to social media platforms (and similar services). For children aged 13 to 16, access would be allowed only if parents or guardians provide consent.

The resolution also urges stricter enforcement of EU digital rules (including the Digital Services Act) and recommends bans or default disabling of the most harmful addictive mechanisms for minors, along with action to tackle manipulative “persuasive technologies.”