EU moves to ban social media for children under 13

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According to major international outlets, the European Union is preparing sweeping new rules that would prohibit social media platforms for children under 13 and impose stricter controls on how platforms operate for teenagers.[2][5] European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined the initiative as a central pillar of the bloc’s digital policy agenda, framing it as a response to mounting evidence of harms from social media use among young people and the need to rein in the power of large tech companies.[2] The proposal reflects growing global concern over online safety, data privacy, mental health impacts, and algorithmic targeting of minors, and is likely to trigger intense debate between regulators, technology firms, parents’ groups, and civil liberties advocates over enforcement mechanisms, age verification, and potential unintended consequences.[2][5] Because the EU often sets de facto global standards through its regulations, this move could have far‑reaching implications for the design and governance of social platforms worldwide.

Sources: CNN, Reuters, BBC