EU to ban social media for under 13s, curb access until 15

The European Union has announced plans to ban social media for children under 13 and limit access for those aged 13 to 15, according to EU chief Ursula von der Leyen's announcement on Wednesday. This move comes amid a growing global backlash against social media, with mounting evidence of its negative impact on children's physical and mental health.

Australia was the first country to ban social media for under-16s, prompting similar actions worldwide. The EU will adopt a gradual approach, tailoring protection levels to different age groups. Between the ages of 13 and 15, only mini accounts with limited features and time restrictions will be permitted. Parents and guardians will set up and supervise these accounts.

For those aged 15 to 18, platforms will be required to implement safe design measures. The European Commission president, von der Leyen, highlighted a tragic example of a 14-year-old Belgian girl who took her own life after being bullied, emphasizing the urgent need for action. The EU will also target addictive design features such as infinite scrolling, imposing fines of up to six percent of a platform's annual turnover for non-compliance.

Violations could harm not just children but everyone, von der Leyen warned. The proposed legislation, known as the KIDS Act, will be presented formally by EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen on Thursday. Europe aims to set stricter rules for big tech, despite the challenges in securing changes from platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Digital and children's rights groups have expressed concerns over the practical implementation and privacy implications of the new regulations. The proposal will undergo negotiations and could take months to become law.