EU faces revolt over social media ban for children

The European Union is set to reveal its plans to protect minors online, but proposals to limit social media use and enforce age checks have faced criticism from children's rights groups and privacy advocates. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen will outline the bloc's approach to restricting children's social media use during a speech to the European Parliament, weighing up options for children under 13 or 15.

Many EU states, including Denmark and Greece, have called for action, following Australia's world-leading ban in December 2025. Critics argue that while evidence shows negative effects on children's mental and physical health, limiting access could infringe on their freedom and access to information. The EU plans to roll out an age-check system later this year, but privacy concerns remain, with the app's cryptographic design facing security flaws after its initial unveiling.