Source: European Parliament
In recent years, concerns over the impact of social media on minors have increased, prompting governments around the world, including in several EU Member States, to consider restricting children’s access to social media. In March 2026, UNICEF reported that nearly 40 countries worldwide are discussing, proposing, adopting or implementing age-based restrictions. This marks a clear acceleration compared with previous years, when only a few countries were considering such measures. Early implementation, notably in Australia, suggests that these restrictions are not yet very effective. Although social media platforms have removed and deactivated millions of accounts belonging to users under 16, many children continue to access social media. Many experts caution that various age assurance technologies remain imperfect. Some methods may infringe privacy or wrongly exclude certain people, while others are ineffective when borrowed or bought accounts or various techniques are used to alter children’s appearance. Within the EU, the proliferation of national initiatives restricting children’s access to social media also raises the risk of regulatory fragmentation across Member States. National rules vary in terms of the minimum age proposed, terminology used and the scope of restrictions imposed. At the same time, the feasibility of national restrictions is constrained by the existing EU legal framework. Member States must act in compliance with EU law, including legislation on digital services and data protection, as well as fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and access to information. To avoid fragmentation of laws across the EU, several Member States and the European Parliament have called for the exploration of a common EU approach, including the introduction of an EU-wide minimum age for social media, or a broader digital majority age. The European Commission has launched a special panel on child safety online to advise it on this issue. It is also advancing work on a harmonised age verification framework.
Internal Market and Customs Union