• The EU aims to limit children's access to social media with age-appropriate restrictions.
• Proposals include phased access for different age groups, supervised use for under-13s.
• A legal proposal is expected by the second half of the year, with potential announcements in September.

The European Union is moving to implement strict regulations on children's access to social media, as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Monday. This unprecedented effort aims to enhance safety for young users online amidst rising concerns over the risks associated with social media platforms. Under the expert recommendations presented, children under the age of 13 would only access these platforms under the supervision of adults, with gradual loosening of restrictions as they grow older, according to thelocal, scmp, and channelnewsasia.

Von der Leyen emphasized the need for "age-appropriate restrictions" on social media access, posing that "the question is no longer if children face risks online, but what can we do to give children a safer start online." She indicated that formal proposals will be put forth in the second half of the year, likely during her State of the Union address in September, according to scmp and channelnewsasia.

The expert panel’s recommendations suggest that there should be no screen time for babies and toddlers, and any use of age-appropriate platforms is recommended for children aged three to twelve under supervision. For teenagers aged 13 to 18, a gradual and evolving autonomy in their use of social media is advised, emphasizing platforms that prioritize safety features, according to thelocal and channelnewsasia.

This initiative follows similar actions by other countries which have already instituted bans targeting social media, particularly in reference to platforms such as TikTok and Facebook, as noted by von der Leyen. While the EU has noted the challenges presented by varying regulations among its 27 member states, including proposed age limits from 15 to 16 in some countries, the commission is committed to finding a unified approach to enhance children's online safety, according to scmp and channelnewsasia.