EU Takes Next Steps Toward Teen Social Media Age Restrictions, Eyes 16-Year Age Limit

The European Commission is moving forward with plans to implement stricter age limits on social media access for young people, citing data showing nearly 60% of European children experience emotional or psychological problems online. Per Social Media Today, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that social media platforms aren't designed with children's wellbeing in mind and announced a new EU age verification app to enforce restrictions. The initiative, drawing on examples from Australia and the U.K., will likely result in an under-16 (or possibly under-15) age restriction, though some experts question whether such bans will prove effective given young people's resourcefulness in circumventing barriers.