BRUSSELS — The European Commission is preparing to roll out a proposal that would place limits on children’s access to social media, according to an announcement made Monday by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Speaking to reporters in Brussels, von der Leyen emphasized the importance of allowing children to experience life outside of digital platforms before technology begins to define them.
“Our children need time in the real world. Time to play, time to build friendships, time to make mistakes. Time to shape their own identity, their own personality, before an algorithm shapes them instead,” she said.
Von der Leyen also framed the issue in a way that shifts the focus from children’s behavior to the platforms themselves, stating: “This is not about whether children can access social media. It is about whether and when social media can access our children.”
The Commission is expected to formally present the proposal after the summer period.
