EU May Roll Out New Limits on Children’s Social Media Use as Soon as This Summer

According to Lianhe Zaobao citing AFP, the European Union could introduce new measures as soon as this summer to curb children’s use of social media, with options seen as more likely to restrict certain features rather than impose an Australia-style blanket ban. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to release expert policy recommendations on limiting teens’ social media use next Monday, July 13, after member states broadly pushed for tighter rules. The EU has said it is considering all options, including a full ban for children or limits on specific services and functions, and one approach under discussion would shut down features deemed harmful instead of banning platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok. A YouGov survey published Thursday, July 9, found majorities in France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain want platforms to remove “harmful” features such as infinite scrolling and personalized content recommendations. France has drafted its own bill, but the EU on Monday, July 6, asked it to amend the draft on the grounds it infringed the European Commission’s authority, while Estonia opposes a ban. EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath said a new law expected to take effect later this year will define children as “vulnerable consumers” and require protections to be built into product design from the outset.