Jul 13, Kathmandu - The European Union (EU) is moving towards implementing measures to restrict small children's access to social media platforms across its 27 member countries.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced on Monday that the initiative aims to protect children from online risks. Speaking to journalists in Brussels, she emphasized the need to regulate social media usage based on children's age to ensure their safety in digital spaces.

According to von der Leyen, the current key questions revolve around whether children are vulnerable to online dangers and how to create a safe digital environment for them. She also unveiled a report prepared by two experts, recommending phased access to social media based on age.

The report suggests that children under 13 should only be allowed to use social media under the supervision of parents, guardians, or teachers for limited periods. As children grow older, these restrictions would gradually be lifted. 

Based on the experts' advice, the European Commission plans to introduce concrete legal proposals after the summer, with an official announcement expected during von der Leyen's upcoming State of the Union address in September.

Von der Leyen indicated that the new regulations might extend beyond social media to include other digital platforms unsuitable or addictive for children. She warned that the policy could impact other online services targeting children, not just social media.

She also stressed the importance of identifying the most harmful platforms for children first, so that phased, age-appropriate access controls can be effectively implemented.

Several countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, China, India, and the United States, have already imposed restrictions on children's social media use or are actively discussing such measures.