European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday backed a “phased and gradual” approach to children’s access to social media, as an expert panel recommended stricter age-based protections across the European Union.
The recommendations come as the EU considers new legislation amid growing calls from member states, including France and Greece, for tougher restrictions on children’s use of social media, similar to measures introduced in Australia.
Speaking after receiving the panel’s report, von der Leyen said there was broad agreement that children should not have unrestricted access to online platforms.
“What we already have is a consensus that there needs to be a start date for the age children can join social media,” she said, calling for “age-appropriate restrictions.”
She added “This is not about whether children can access social media. It is about whether and when social media can access our children.”
Von der Leyen said the European Commission plans to present a legislative proposal later this year, adding that policymakers should consider “a phased and gradual access for different age ranges.”
The expert panel, made up of doctors, academics, youth representatives and parents, recommended that children under the age of 13 should only use social media under adult supervision as part of a broader strategy to improve online safety.