Protecting Young People Online: What the EU's Proposed Teen Social Media Rules Mean

The European Commission has proposed a new framework to limit how children and young teenagers use social media. In her State of the Union address in Strasbourg, President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the bloc would ban social media for children under 13 and allow only limited, supervised access until 15. The proposed "KIDS Act" was formally presented the following day.

What is proposed
Under 13: no social media access. (keyt)

Ages 13 to under 15: no personal account, only "mini accounts" set up and supervised by parents or guardians, with limited features and a one-hour daily limit. Reports add default private settings and limited contact lists.

From 15: minors may open their own accounts.

Burden on platforms: the Act would reverse the burden of proof, so platforms must show their services are safe for minors. Reporting indicates fines of up to 6 percent of turnover.

Why now
Von der Leyen framed the proposal as a question of who sets the rules: "It is we who decide our rules, not big tech." She also said the issue is when and how social media is allowed to reach minors, not whether minors may use it. France, Denmark and Greece had pressed the Commission to act across the bloc.

Australia was the first country to ban social media for under-16s, in December 2025, and Spain, Denmark and Sweden are among other EU countries pursuing age limits.

A graduated approach
The "gradual" design may also reflect legal caution. One report notes that France's Constitutional Council struck down a national under-15 ban over concerns about minors' freedom of expression, and that supervised accounts could avoid that problem. Von der Leyen's speech did not mention online games or AI chatbots, though draft legislation seen by AFP suggests they could be covered.

Questions that remain
The proposal still needs the approval of EU lawmakers and member states. Open questions include how age will be verified without compromising privacy, how parents will be supported in managing mini accounts, and how platforms outside Europe will comply. The Commission has proposed the rules, but their final shape is not yet settled.

A conversation for Ghana
Many Ghanaian parents, teachers and faith and community leaders share the same worries about screen time, cyberbullying and online safety. The EU's debate offers useful reference points, and local policy will need to reflect Ghanaian realities, including data protection, digital access and family structures.

Mustapha Bature Sallama
Medical/ Science Communicator,
Private Investigator, Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Analysis,

International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding. (USIP)

[email protected]
+233555275880

Sources
Kuwait Times (AFP), "EU plans social media ban for under-13s, limited access until 15": kuwaittimes.com/article/49873/world/eu-plans-social-media-ban-for-under-13s-limited-access-until-15/

CNN via KEYT, "EU announces plan to ban social media for under 13s": keyt.com/?p=1477087

The Express Tribune (AFP), "EU to ban social media for under 13s, curb access until 15": tribune.com.pk/story/2629648/eu-to-ban-social-media-for-under-13s-curb-access-until-15

Health Policy Watch, "EU Kids Act": healthpolicy-watch.news/eu-social-media-kids-act/

Ground News (summary of der Standard coverage), "EU Commission proposes social media ban for children under 13": ground.news/article/54feb0aa-af27-4ed8-ad9b-e9647383ba97

Reuters video of the Strasbourg announcement, as seen in your screenshot.