Social Media: European Commission Announces Gradual Restrictions for Under-15s

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a new regulatory initiative called the "Kids Act," designed to regulate social media use by minors across the European Union, according to Le Monde.

According to reports, this announcement was made during the annual State of the Union address, a traditional exercise in which the Commission President outlines the institution's political priorities for the coming year.

The text would provide for a "gradual" restriction on access to social platforms for young people under 15, though the precise details of this gradual approach were not spelled out in the initial announcement, Le Monde reports.

The proposal would also impose new obligations on digital platforms themselves, although the exact nature of these requirements remains to be clarified in upcoming legislative developments.

This initiative comes amid growing concerns expressed by several European policymakers and civil society organizations about the impact of social media on the mental health and development of young users.

The precise timeline for adoption and implementation of the "Kids Act," as well as how it will coordinate with existing regulations such as the Digital Services Act, have not been clarified at this stage based on available information.