• The EU proposes phased access to social media for children, with recommendations for age-appropriate restrictions.
• Children under 13 should only use social media under supervision, according to expert guidelines.
• Plans include a legal proposal expected in the second half of the year to ensure safer online environments for minors.
• The EU aims to eliminate addictive features on platforms to protect children's well-being.
• Member states are divided on the exact age for social media access, with some advocating for stricter limits.

The European Union (EU) is moving towards implementing phased access to social media for children, as recommended by an expert panel tasked with addressing online safety concerns. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the need for "age-appropriate restrictions," particularly stating that children under 13 should only use social media platforms under parental or educator supervision. This initiative follows growing calls from various EU states, including Greece and France, for stricter regulatory measures to protect young users online, according to thelocal and scmp.

Von der Leyen announced that a legal proposal will be introduced later this year, following the expert panel's recommendations which outline specific restrictions. This includes the recommendation that no screens should be allowed for children aged three and under and that children aged three to twelve should only access "age-appropriate social media" under careful supervision. For teenagers aged 13 to 18, the report advises "evolving autonomous use" of platforms that include essential safety features. This gradual approach is intended to address the heightened risks children face online, as detailed in reports from channelnewsasia and lemonde.

The EU's approach is characterized by a notable absence of outright bans on digital platforms, reflecting a desire to encourage safe usage rather than prohibitive measures. Von der Leyen stated, "This is not about whether children can access social media. It is about whether and when social media can access our children," highlighting the complexity of balancing safety with accessibility. This sentiment aligns with findings from the panel, which noted the ineffectiveness of blanket bans implemented in other countries, as seen in the challenges reported in Australia, according to latimes and channelnewsasia.

Furthermore, Von der Leyen and her team are advocating for social media companies to eliminate addictive features such as autoplay content and infinite scrolling, strategies that have been found to negatively impact children’s digital experiences. As EU consumer protection chief Michael McGrath stated, the current digital environments often manipulate user engagement in ways that can be harmful, necessitating stronger regulatory oversight to protect children from such designs, according to thelocal and lemonde.

However, there remains debate among EU member states regarding the specific age boundaries for social media access. Different nations advocate for various age limits, with discussions highlighted by EU lawmakers referencing the need for consensus on what is deemed safe and appropriate for children. The disparities among member states reflect the ongoing complexity of formulating unified policies that consider varying cultural attitudes toward child safety and media consumption, as mentioned in reports from scmp and latimes.