BRUSSELS : At a summit held in Brussels, European heads of state endorsed the idea of introducing a “digital age of majority,” which would regulate when young people can legally access social media platforms. A statement adopted by the European Council emphasized the importance of protecting minors in the digital sphere while respecting the national powers of each EU country.
Under the new framework, only users aged 16 and above will be permitted to access social media platforms. The measures are expected to come into force in December, signaling a united European effort to tackle growing concerns about online safety and mental health among young users.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been a vocal advocate for an EU-wide minimum age for social media. The Commission is also working on reliable age verification systems to restrict access to content deemed inappropriate for minors. This includes developing a verification application that ensures stronger online protection for children and teens across the bloc.
European leaders have backed a proposal to set the minimum age for social media use at 16, aiming to protect minors' online safety. The decision, made at a Brussels summit, will be enforced in December. The EU is also working on age verification systems to ensure stronger protection for children and teens across member states.