Social Media Age Limit for Children is Becoming Widespread in Europe

Against a digital world targeting children's attention, time, and mental health across Europe, countries and the European Union are taking action and preparing to introduce age limits for social media use.

With the "EU Children's Act" proposal announced on September 17, the European Commission envisions blocking children under 13 from accessing social media services, allowing those in the 13-15 age group to use them through restricted accounts under parental control, and permitting personal accounts to be opened from the age of 15. The proposal also includes measures such as infinite scrolling, notification restrictions during sleeping hours, and turning off artificial intelligence chatbots by default.

Germany approved a strategy document on October 14 stating that it will not allow children under 13 to use social media until common EU legislation is enacted. While a bill for those under 15 is being discussed in the parliament in Greece, the Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs is working on an age limit of 15. Similar age limit and digital security bills and strategies are also on the agenda of parliaments and governments in France, the UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Austria, and Slovakia.