Source: The Parliament Magazine

The expert panel backed by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recommends EU-wide restrictions on social media use for under-13s, while allowing access with parental consent or for educational purposes, and calls for zero screentime for children under three. The 156-page report advocates a broad “safe by design” approach that would place the burden of proof on platforms to demonstrate their products are safe for young users and urges redesign of addictive features.

The report recommends the scope extend beyond traditional social media to include video game platforms, AI companions and video-sharing services, and suggests building on existing laws such as the Digital Services Act and the forthcoming Digital Fairness Act. Co-chairs Dr. Maria Melchior and Dr. Jörg M. Fegert stress that age bans alone are inadequate, the report cites Australia’s December 2025 under-16 ban and a 2026 study saying up to 85% of young people circumvented those restrictions, and notes the Commission will propose legislation after the summer, while leaving open member states’ ability to set higher minimum ages — a prospect that risks fragmentation and potential trade tension with U.S. platforms.