EU's Child Social Media Restrictions Deliver Blow to Digital Economy

The European Union has proposed a new regulatory framework aimed at restricting social media access for children under 13. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, emphasizing the 'safety by design' principle, stated that platforms must ensure secure services for minors. The expert panel's tiered model suggests a complete ban on screen time for ages 0-3, while children aged 3-12 should only access platforms under parental or teacher supervision for limited periods. For ages 13-18, independent access is proposed but conditional on 'safe by default' systems.

The report highlights that European youth spend 4-6 hours daily on screens, linking this to potential psychological issues. Von der Leyen stressed, 'We cannot expect success in systems designed without considering children's welfare,' calling for increased accountability from tech companies. A legislative proposal is expected post-summer, with a unified age limit across the EU being a key recommendation.