The European Parliament has called for banning social media access for children under 16 unless parents explicitly grant permission. The resolution, passed by a strong majority, raises pressure for future EU legislation amid growing concerns about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health.
The proposal highlights the increasing interest across Europe in restricting children’s access to smartphones and online platforms. It recommends disabling addictive features for minors, such as infinite scrolling, auto-play videos, excessive notifications, and reward-based engagement tools. Lawmakers argue these design elements contribute to harmful usage patterns among young users.
The resolution also urges clearer safeguards within existing EU digital laws, noting that current regulations do not adequately address addictive platform design or online exploitation, including financial pressure on minors to become influencers. While some critics argue that decisions on children’s digital access should remain with individual member states, supporters insist that stronger EU-wide protection is essential.
The proposal was adopted with broad support, reflecting a growing political will to better protect children online. Although non-binding, the resolution signals a significant shift toward stricter age limits and enhanced safety measures across the European Union.