GBAF Logo
Global Banking & Finance Awards® 2026 Nominations open, free to enter Nominate now →
EU Commission proposes under-13s social media ban - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
Finance

EU Commission proposes under-13s social media ban

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on September 17, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: September 17, 2026

Add as preferred source on Google
Finance Regulation technology

EU Proposes Social Media Ban for Children Under 13 and Stricter Online Safeguards

European Commission's New Online Safety Proposals for Minors

Background and Rationale

STRASBOURG, Sept 17 (Reuters) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday proposed a social media ban for children under 13 and restricted access for those between 13 and 15 as she warned about the dangers of online services to minors.

Scope of Proposed Restrictions

She also proposed a series of obligations on social media, video sharing services, online video games, AI chatbots offering services to children below 18, a move that will hit Google's YouTube, Meta Platforms' Facebook and Instagram.

Global Concerns Over Children's Online Safety

The move underscored growing concerns worldwide about the effect of online services on children's safety and health.

Reporting and Editing Credits

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee and Yves Herman, editing by Inti Landauro)

Key Takeaways

  • Children under 13 would be entirely banned from certain online platforms unless exceptionally safeguarded, reflecting EU concerns over risks like grooming, addiction and cyberbullying (technical-regulation-information-system.ec.europa.eu).
  • Youth aged 13–15 could access platforms only under strict parental supervision, limited contacts, time restrictions and heightened safety measures (elpais.com).
  • This proposal follows a special expert panel’s summer 2026 report and breaches found under the Digital Services Act, particularly Meta’s failure to effectively enforce its own under‑13 age limit (digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu).

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the European Commission propose regarding social media use by minors?
The Commission proposed banning social media access for children under 13 and restricting services for those aged 13 to 15.
Why is the EU considering stricter regulations on social media for children?
The EU is concerned about the safety and health risks online services pose to minors.
Which companies could be affected by the proposed EU regulations?
Companies such as Google (YouTube), Meta Platforms (Facebook, Instagram), and online gaming firms could be impacted.
What types of online services are targeted by the new EU proposals?
The proposals target social media, video sharing services, online video games, and AI chatbots used by children under 18.

Tags

Related Articles

Image for UK productivity a bit stronger than thought using new measure, ONS says

UK productivity a bit stronger than thought using new measure, ONS says

Image for Sterling roughly unchanged before BoE meeting

Sterling roughly unchanged before BoE meeting

Image for ANALYSIS-The night Sweden's far-right stopped winning

ANALYSIS-The night Sweden's far-right stopped winning

Image for Berentzen shares soar as Sazerac explores takeover of German schnapps maker

Berentzen shares soar as Sazerac explores takeover of German schnapps maker

Image for Explainer-How Yemen's Houthis went from a small mountain militia to a big regional threat

Explainer-How Yemen's Houthis went from a small mountain militia to a big regional threat

Image for UK regulator probing payments firm over suspected anti-money laundering failings

UK regulator probing payments firm over suspected anti-money laundering failings

More from Finance

Explore more articles in the Finance category

Image for House passes Russia sanctions bill championed by Graham, sending it to Trump
House passes Russia sanctions bill championed by Graham, sending it to Trump
Image for Russia strikes Kyiv, other cities hours after US sanctions passed
Russia strikes Kyiv, other cities hours after US sanctions passed
Image for King Charles to urge AI leaders to protect humanity at Scottish meeting
King Charles to urge AI leaders to protect humanity at Scottish meeting
Image for Oil prices extend losses as supply disruption fears ease
Oil prices extend losses as supply disruption fears ease
Image for German restaurant VAT cut fails to lower prices, union says
German restaurant VAT cut fails to lower prices, union says
Image for UK's Burnham, Canada's Carney discuss AI challenges and online safety cooperation
UK's Burnham, Canada's Carney discuss AI challenges and online safety cooperation
Image for Swiss lawmaker withdraws motion to send bank bill back to government
Swiss lawmaker withdraws motion to send bank bill back to government
Image for Russia damages bridge in southern Ukraine crucial for grain exports, railway says
Russia damages bridge in southern Ukraine crucial for grain exports, railway says
Image for Austria's RBI says Grizzly take on business contains wrong, misleading statements
Austria's RBI says Grizzly take on business contains wrong, misleading statements
Image for Trump derides EU pitch to Canada as 'laughable', threatens more tariffs
Trump derides EU pitch to Canada as 'laughable', threatens more tariffs
Image for Germany's IMK institute more than doubles economic growth forecast for 2026
Germany's IMK institute more than doubles economic growth forecast for 2026
Image for Dollar eases from seven-week peak as oil prices extend decline
Dollar eases from seven-week peak as oil prices extend decline
View All Finance Posts