To enforce these age limits without compromising
European officials now acknowledge that connected children are highly vulnerable. They face aggressive algorithms, cyberbullying, and data exploitation. Recent statistics show that nearly 60% of young Europeans suffer from emotional and psychosocial issues due to intensive social media use. The new legal framework will shift the burden of proof onto tech platforms. It will force them to actively block harmful content, filter access, and adapt interfaces based on user age.
The proposed bill establishes a minimum age limit of 15 for unsupervised social media accounts. For children under the age of 3, access to these platforms will be completely banned. Children between 3 and 12 years old can only access services specifically designed for kids, which will face strict vetting.
Adolescents aged 13 and 14 will be allowed to open restricted introductory accounts, but only with formal parental consent. These accounts will feature strict daily screen time limits and block direct communication from strangers.
To enforce these age limits without compromising user privacy, platforms must integrate with a secure, anonymous European age-verification system. Available options will include a dedicated EU age-verification app, the European Digital Identity Wallet, or certified third-party applications.
This digital debate unfolds alongside other major
Beyond age controls, the legislation bans addictive features like infinite scroll, autoplay, and constant push notifications. Engagement-based recommendation algorithms will also be restricted. Accounts for minors will be private by default, with geolocation disabled and direct messaging limited to established contacts. Tech companies that fail to comply will face massive fines of up to 6% of their global annual turnover.
Global momentum is growing, as New Zealand has already banned social media for under-16s. France became the first European nation to officially ban access for under-15s. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has embraced these age-appropriate restrictions.
This digital debate unfolds alongside other major global events. In Germany, the left secured a victory in Berlin while the AfD made gains in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Meanwhile, the US and China plan to hold a dialogue on artificial intelligence.
In Brussels, officials decided to maintain the ban on oil and gas drilling in the Arctic. In Russia, Putin's party retained power after a vote disrupted by drone strikes, with some citizens leaving polling stations early fearing mobilization.
In France, national debt has reached its highest level since 1978 due to fiscal tensions. Nationally, President Emmanuel Macron promoted relations with Canada during a visit to Saint Pierre and Miquelon. Locally, thousands of migrants returned to the beaches of Ceuta due to overcrowding at the port camp.