Ursula von der Leyen is set to announce plans aimed at restricting minors’ access to social media during her annual State of the Union address in September, according to diplomatic sources from Brussels. This initiative is expected to pave the way for EU legislation or other regulatory measures requiring platforms to prevent children below a certain age from holding accounts.
EU officials have already informed national governments to anticipate an announcement in September. However, it remains unclear what the proposed minimum age will be or how the restrictions would be implemented. Various national governments have suggested options ranging from mandatory parental consent to outright bans supported by age verification technology.
An EU official familiar with von der Leyen’s perspective warned that a group of experts advising the Commission has yet to release its recommendations. This group is scheduled to present a report on July 13, and until then, “political guidance and specific steps cannot be predicted,” said the official.
Protecting children online has emerged as a priority for von der Leyen during her second term leading the European Commission. A representative from a national government described it as her “personal project,” emphasizing that governments desire the Commission to provide concrete content following months of political messaging.
Pressure from European Capitals
The momentum has intensified as EU governments have already adopted their own restrictions. Countries including France, Spain, Germany, Denmark, and Greece have implemented national measures.
Several nations outside the EU have gone even further. Australia has passed legislation requiring major platforms to prevent individuals under 16 from having accounts, a rule set to take effect in December 2025. Von der Leyen has frequently cited this law as a model.
Recently, the UK announced plans to implement a similar ban for minors under 16, with measures expected to take effect in spring 2027. Ireland, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, is advocating for a European-wide approach to age verification.
“There is strong momentum building in this regard,” stated Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. “We expect fairly concrete proposals and ideas, and I believe there is an opportunity to adopt a position at the European level concerning the protection of children online.”
Why Brussels is Rushing
A diplomat indicated that Brussels is under increasing pressure to act before national legislations diverge significantly. “The longer they wait, the less flexible member states will be in adapting their laws,” the diplomat remarked.
Christel Schaldemose, Vice President of the European Parliament, urged the Commission to expedite its actions. “They are not acting quickly enough, and that is a problem. We have been discussing this topic for a long time,” Schaldemose said.
She pointed to Denmark’s intention to impose mandatory parental consent for minors under 15 as an example. Last week, a Commission spokesperson stated that there are still “various options on the table” for restricting children’s access to social media, emphasizing that the exact form of any proposal remains open.
In Romania, the Senate has already passed a bill stating that minors under 16 may only have social media accounts with parental consent. The document is currently awaiting a final vote in the Chamber of Deputies.
