September 10, 2026 :The European Union is preparing to unveil a plan aimed at making the internet safer for children and teenagers. However, proposals to restrict minors’ access to social media and make age verification mandatory have already drawn strong criticism from child rights and privacy protection groups.
The 27-member bloc is expected to outline how it plans to limit children’s use of social media in a closely watched speech to the European Parliament next week by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Von der Leyen is considering restrictions on social media use by children under the age of 13, following a recommendation from an expert panel. France, meanwhile, has called for a ban on social media access for those under 15.
Several EU countries, including Denmark and Greece, have been pushing for action on the issue for more than a year. The EU initiative gained further momentum after Australia introduced a major nationwide restriction on social media use by children and teenagers in December 2025, becoming the first major country to do so. Britain and several other countries have also moved toward similar measures.
Critics of social media say evidence is growing that these platforms can have negative effects on the physical and mental health of children. Whatever decision the EU ultimately makes, a system for verifying users’ ages is expected to be introduced later this year to enforce the rules.
However, the proposals have faced criticism in Brussels. Child rights organizations fear that restrictions could interfere with minors’ freedom and access to social interaction. Digital rights groups, meanwhile, have raised concerns about privacy and security risks associated with age verification systems.
Christian Cirhigiri, an official with the Center for Democracy and Technology Europe, said the focus of regulation should be on social media platforms rather than restricting children’s participation online.
“Protecting children’s fundamental rights should mean regulating social media platforms, not limiting children’s ability to participate online,” he said.
Child rights advocates and other civil society groups are also concerned about the potential consequences of restricting children’s access to social media. They argue that such measures could deprive young people of opportunities for social connection, information and resources that can support their development.
Cirhigiri told AFP that such restrictions could violate children’s freedom of expression and their right to access information, rights that are also recognized as fundamental under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Around 132 organizations and experts working on child rights and mental health have also opposed a blanket ban for everyone under a certain age.
In a letter addressed to von der Leyen and obtained by AFP, they called for major technology companies to be required to make their platforms safer instead.
Although there is broad support for potential restrictions among the EU’s 27 member states, there is no consensus on the issue.
Estonia’s Minister for Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta told AFP that it was difficult to understand on ethical grounds why children’s right to access information should be restricted. In her view, “the platforms should change” instead.
The EU has already implemented its strongest legal framework for regulating online content, the Digital Services Act. Under the legislation, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok have been ordered this year to modify designs and features that could encourage addictive use among users.
Simeon De Braeower, an official with digital rights organization European Digital Rights (EDRi), said the central problem was not young people being online but the failure to make the online environment safer for them.
Source: AFP