Don't ban children from social media, Estonia tells EU
Estonia is opposing EU plans to implement a blanket ban on children using social media, arguing that platforms should instead be forced to change their design to be safer. The EU is expected to announce new age restrictions soon, but Estonia advocates for stricter enforcement of the Digital Services Act.
Why it matters
This highlights a policy debate between outright prohibition and regulatory oversight of tech platforms regarding child safety.
FILE PHOTO: A girl checks social media posts on her phone in Athens, Greece, April 1, 2026. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki/File Photo
BRUSSELS: The European Union should make social media platforms change instead of banning children from using the apps, Estonia's digital minister told AFP Monday, just over a week before the EU is due to announce an age limit.
Estonia has been a lone voice in opposing the EU's plans to restrict children's access to social media , instead calling for online platforms to change.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen is expected to announce a social media ban on September 16, with officials saying an age limit of 13 or 15 is under discussion.
But IT-savvy Estonia argues the tech giants have prime responsibility for making their popular platforms safer for minors.
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