EU lawmakers call for social media ban for children under 16
The European Parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution urging an EU-wide default ban on social media use by children under 16, unless parents explicitly authorize access from age 13. The initiative responds to mounting evidence of mental health harms linked to unrestricted digital exposure and business models centered on engagement maximization. MEPs highlight “algorithms that prey on children’s vulnerabilities” and the sense of powerlessness many parents experience when confronted with pervasive platform design optimized for addiction and data extraction.
The resolution, drafted by Danish MEP Christel Schaldemose, calls for robust age thresholds and a systemic response to addictive design features on online platforms, including infinite scrolling, autoplay, aggressive push notifications and reward systems designed to promote compulsive use. These elements are described as intrinsic to the monetization logic of many social media services. Schaldemose’s report also calls for default disabling of such features when services are accessed by minors and for clearer restrictions on dark patterns such as countdown timers, manipulative consent flows and persistent prompts to share data or enable tracking.
The initiative situates itself within the broader framework of the Digital Services Act (DSA), while explicitly pointing to regulatory gaps regarding addictive design and the economic pressure on minors to become content creators or influencers. Although the DSA already addresses issues such as disinformation, cyberbullying and illegal content, the Parliament considers current safeguards insufficient to counter more subtle yet pervasive behavioral design practices. In parallel, the European Commission is closely monitoring Australia’s forthcoming under‑16 social media ban and is establishing an expert panel to assess the most effective regulatory responses at EU level.
The resolution also has a geopolitical dimension. Despite calls from the White House to soften EU tech regulation in the context of wider trade discussions, MEPs emphasize legislative autonomy and the non-negotiable nature of children’s digital rights. Critics, particularly from Eurosceptic groups, argue that decisions on children’s access to social media should remain with member states rather than EU institutions. Nonetheless, the strong majority in favor of the resolution underscores a growing consensus that child protection in the digital environment justifies additional, targeted legislation beyond the existing DSA and the evolving Artificial Intelligence Act.
