Mulling ban, EU gets expert verdict on social media for children
The European Union is consulting an expert panel to determine whether to implement a bloc-wide ban on social media for minors. While officials are exploring safety measures, experts suggest that age limits or feature-specific restrictions are more likely than a total ban.
Why it matters
This reflects a global trend of governments attempting to regulate 'addictive' digital platforms to protect the mental health of children.
To ban or not to ban children from all social media? That is the big question facing the European Union in its bid to protect minors from harmful content.
To help the EU answer it, an expert panel made up of doctors, academics, youth representatives and parents will deliver their recommendations on Monday (July 13, 2026).
Greece, France and Spain led a push last year for limiting minors' access to social media, with pressure intensifying on the EU executive to establish a bloc-wide ban like Australia did in December.
In response, EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen tasked the panel to come up with advice backed by evidence on how the 27-nation bloc should tackle the issue.
She favours limiting children's access to social media and has previously hinted at a ban — and in May said a legal proposal is expected this summer.
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