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European Commission proposes banning social media accounts for under-13s

The European Commission has put forward an EU Children’s Act to restrict minors’ access to digital services by banning social media accounts for those under 13, allowing 13- and 14-year-olds to use limited accounts supervised by parents or guardians, and permitting independent accounts from age 15.

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A smartphone displaying social media app icons stands against a blue background featuring European Union stars. The image relates to the European Commission’s proposal to restrict social media accounts for children under 13.

On Thursday, 17 September 2026, the European Commission proposed banning children under 13 from having accounts on social media platforms, as part of draft legislation aimed at establishing uniform rules to protect minors across the European Union.

Age-based account access and parental supervision

The Commission said the proposal covers social media platforms and video-sharing services, and also imposes obligations related to protecting users under 18 on other digital services, including online games, chatbots and artificial intelligence-powered companions.

The draft would require major digital platform providers to demonstrate that their services are designed to be safe for children, rather than making minors and their families responsible for proving the risks. It also includes privacy-preserving age-verification procedures, aimed at applying the new restrictions without collecting more personal data than necessary.

The proposal must complete the legislative process within the European Union before entering into force, including being debated and adopted by the relevant European institutions.