Members of the European Parliament have approved a non-binding resolution calling for a minimum age of 16 for access to social media platforms, video-sharing services and AI companions. The proposal is part of a broader effort to strengthen child protection online and responds to growing concern about the impact of digital platforms on young users. The resolution places pressure on the European Commission to consider legislative action.
What the resolution proposes
The text recommends that children under 13 should not be allowed on social media platforms, while those aged 13 to 16 should only be permitted access with parental consent. Above 16, young people could access platforms without restrictions. The resolution also calls for safety-by-design measures, including the disabling of features linked to addictive behaviour for minors, such as infinite scrolling, autoplay and push notifications.
Christel Schaldemose, the Danish Social Democrat MEP who drafted the resolution, said policymakers had a responsibility to act. She told reporters that parents could not be expected to manage these risks alone and that society must ensure platforms are safe spaces for minors, but only above a certain age.
How the vote was decided
The resolution was adopted with 483 votes in favour, 92 against and 86 abstentions. While it does not change existing rules, it signals a significant shift in the political debate on children’s digital wellbeing.
Existing framework and its limits
The European Union already regulates online platforms through the Digital Services Act, which targets harms such as disinformation, cyberbullying and illegal content. However, the resolution states that the law has gaps in relation to children and could do more to address addictive design features and the risk of online exploitation. This includes concerns about underage users being exposed to financial incentives to become influencers.
Growing momentum across Europe
Interest in restricting children’s access to smartphones and social media is increasing across Europe. An expert report commissioned last year by the French president, Emmanuel Macron, recommended that children should not use smartphones before the age of 13 and should only join social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat at 18.
Youth digital habits in Cyprus and the EU
Eurobarometer 2025 findings highlight how deeply integrated digital platforms are in the daily lives of young Europeans. The data show that:
• In Cyprus, 44 per cent of young people aged 16 to 30 cite social media as their main source of news. Across the EU, the equivalent figure is 42 per cent.
• Video platforms are the second-most common news source for young Cypriots, at 31 per cent.
• Traditional television accounts for 27 per cent among this group.
• Cyprus ranks among the EU countries with the highest youth participation in social networks.
These figures underline the scale of daily digital engagement and the environment in which policymakers are considering stricter rules.
What happens next
The resolution now moves to the European Commission, which will decide whether to draft legislative proposals. Any future measures would require negotiation with member states before becoming EU law.
Source: The Guardian