Von der Leyen targets ‘addictive’ social media with EU rules for under‑13s by autumn

As the perils of overexposure to social media become the concern of more and more member states, the EU Commission has stepped up to the plate with recommendations to restrict social media for children under 13. 

A commission report published on Monday (13 July) advocates for greater accountability for social media platforms to be responsible for their own safety-by-design backend so as to remove addictive features and guarantee safer use for minors.

According to its recommendations, screens should be kept away from children under three years old, with restricted and supervised access to those under 13, due to greater vulnerability in pre-pubescent ages. 

Gradual access is recommended for teenagers, should platforms become able to demonstrate that their services are safe and age-appropriate.

The report concludes that after 13, “traditional forms of supervision by caregivers and educators at school become increasingly ineffective” when it comes to social media use, effectively recommending that the commission take action against social media platforms rather than leaving the onus on overburdened parents. 

“In Europe, whoever develops a product is responsible for its safety,” commission president Ursula von der Leyen said in response to the report. 

“We do not expect children to design their own seatbelts. We do not expect parents to fit airbags at home. And the very same must be true for Big Tech.”