The European Union will ban social media for children under 13 and allow only limited, supervised access until the age of 15 under plans unveiled Wednesday (September 16, 2026) by EU chief Ursula von der Leyen.
“Each age has its own sensitivities. “Europe has the power to act. “No social media under the age of 13. No personal account under the age of 15,” she said. “That means from 13 to under 15, only mini accounts, set up and supervised by parents or guardians, with limited features and time restriction to one hour a day. Thursday’s (September 17, 2026) proposal will only become law after negotiations on a final text between EU capitals and the European Parliament, which could take months.
And therefore, each will have its own tailored protection level,” she said.
The 27-country bloc would take a “gradual” approach, Ms. von der Leyen confirmed during her annual keynote address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. Ms. von der Leyen made no reference to online games or AI chatbots, which according to draft legislation seen by AFP would also be hit by the restrictions. The European Commission president and tech chief Henna Virkkunen will formally present the proposed “KIDS Act”, including the tiered age limits in Strasbourg, France on Thursday (September 16, 2026). The EU will also ban addictive design features such as so-called infinite scrolling where children are concerned, according to a draft document. It is we who decide our rules, not big tech,” Ms. von der Leyen said.
