EU to Propose 'Social Media Start Date' for Minors in Sweeping Child Safety Plan

The European Union will propose a legally binding "social media start date for minors," Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Monday. The legislation, expected after the summer break, aims to shield children from harmful online content through age-based access restrictions.

Von der Leyen made the announcement hours after an expert panel she convened delivered its recommendations on child safety online. The panel, formed earlier this year, called for a phased approach that limits exposure based on developmental stages.

What the Proposal Includes

The Commission's plan is expected to combine several measures, including a minimum age for social media use, a possible outright ban for younger children, and graduated access for teenagers. Platforms may also face a new burden of proof.

• A minimum age requirement for social media accounts, potentially set at 16 or 13, with enforcement through age verification.
• An outright ban on social media for children below a certain age threshold, still under discussion.
• Phased access for adolescents, allowing limited features that expand as they get older.
• A requirement for platforms to prove their services are not harmful before minors can use them, reversing the current burden of proof.
• Mandatory risk assessments and transparency reports on how algorithms affect young users.

Implications for Tech Platforms

Social media companies operating in the EU face sweeping changes if the proposal becomes law. Platforms such as Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat would need to redesign their sign-up flows, content moderation, and advertising systems for users under 18. The new rules could also set a precedent for other regions.

Von der Leyen has been building toward this since May, when she told the European Parliament that the EU needed to act on children's online safety. The Digital Services Act already imposes some obligations, but the proposed child-specific regulation would go further.

What comes next is a formal legislative proposal after the summer recess. The European Parliament and member states will then negotiate the final text, a process that could take 12 to 18 months. Enforcement will likely fall to national regulators, with the European Commission overseeing compliance. Industry groups are expected to push back on age verification requirements and the burden of proof standard, arguing they could infringe on privacy and free expression.