EU moves to ban social media for under-13s, tighten rules for teenagers

The European Commission has proposed banning children under 13 from using social media across the European Union and restricting access for older teenagers under a new EU Kids Act, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced on Thursday."Today, our children are engaging with some of the most sophisticated technology ever created, and it was not created with children's well-being and development in mind," von der Leyen told a press conference.Earlier on Wednesday, Von der Leyen had said the Commission would adopt a “gradual and differentiated approach”, with different safeguards based on age.“No social media under the age of 13. No personal account under the age of 15,” she told the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday.Under the proposed framework, children aged 13 to under 15 would be allowed only “mini accounts” set up and supervised by parents or guardians, with limited features and a one-hour-a-day time restriction.