European Union to Unveil New Social Media Safeguards for Minors

The European Union is set to introduce a landmark legislation this Thursday aimed at safeguarding children from the detrimental effects of social media. This move follows an anticipated announcement by EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, who is expected to outline a specific age restriction for minors accessing such digital platforms.

After more than a year of extensive discussions and considerable pressure from member states, notably France and Greece, along with concerned parents across the 27-nation bloc, von der Leyen will address this crucial matter in her speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The proposed legislation, dubbed the “EU Kids Act,” will be officially presented on Thursday in Brussels by von der Leyen alongside EU tech lead, Henna Virkkunen, as confirmed by spokesman Olof Gill.

Von der Leyen's vision for platforms frequented by children emphasizes a “safe by design” approach. This means social media services should inherently be non-addictive and stripped of features that promote excessive usage among young users. The EU chief has been deliberating on a complete ban for children under 13, a recommendation put forth by an expert panel, or under 15, a preference expressed by France.

Globally, a growing number of nations are implementing similar measures. Australia led the way by becoming the first country to prohibit social media access for individuals under 16, a decision driven by increasing expert and governmental concerns over the proven negative impacts on children’s mental and physical health.

In June 2026, the United Arab Emirates also announced a social media ban for children below 15 years of age. This places the UAE among countries like Australia, Britain, and Canada that have adopted comparable restrictions. A cabinet resolution in the UAE mandates social media platforms to actively monitor and disable accounts created by users under 15, warning of potential blocking for non-compliance. These platforms have been granted a 12-month transition period to adapt. The official WAM news agency quoted the resolution, stating, “The resolution sets the minimum age for social media use at 15 years. Children below this age are prohibited from creating, using, or operating personal accounts on social media platforms.”