EU chief proposes bloc-wide social media ban for kids under 13

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a bloc-wide social media ban for children under 13 during her annual State of the European Union speech in Strasbourg. The sweeping plan, announced on Wednesday, also seeks to impose limits and require greater parental monitoring for older teens up to the age of 15 across the 27-nation European Union.

Alongside the proposed age restrictions, the initiative targets addictive digital features such as endless scrolling. The measures would extend beyond traditional social media platforms to encompass online games and chatbots, addressing growing concerns regarding the influence of Big Tech over minors.