EU weighs social media limits for children

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has presented a plan to introduce age-appropriate social media restrictions for children.

On Monday, von der Leyen received an expert advisory report regarding social media use by children.

Citing risks to minors' health and well-being throughout their development, the report proposes a set of restrictions.

For children between the ages of three and 12, it recommends only time-limited access to age-appropriate media with parental supervision or in educational contexts. The report also recommends that adolescents between 13 and 18 only have access to 'safe by default' media and services that actively employ safety features, like limits to infinite scrolling.

The Commission president told reporters, "A world where we continue to allow big tech unrestricted access to our children will only consign another generation to more mental harm, addiction and misery." She said her team will review the report and present a proposal after the summer.

The move comes as countries consider or roll out restrictions, with Australia, for example, banning social media for children under 16.