The EU has announced a plan to restrict children's access to social media, under which only those over the age of 15 would be able to set up their own accounts.
Key facts
- The EU has announced plans to restrict social media access for children.
- Only children over the age of 15 would be able to set up their own social media accounts under the proposals.
- The plans were reported by the BBC on 17 September 2026.
The European Union has announced a plan to restrict social media access for children, according to the BBC. Under the proposals, only children over the age of 15 would be able to set up their own social media accounts.
The move signals an effort by the bloc to place clearer age-based limits on who can join social media platforms, with the age of 15 set as the threshold for opening an account independently.
The BBC reported the announcement on 17 September 2026, describing the measure as a plan to restrict social media access for under-15s.
The available details focus on the core age requirement: children below 15 would not be permitted to create their own accounts under the plan as described.
Further specifics on how the restriction would be implemented and enforced were not detailed in the reporting available at the time of the announcement.
Why it matters
Age limits on social media are a growing focus for governments seeking to address concerns about young people's online safety. An EU-wide threshold of 15 could affect how millions of young users across the bloc access popular platforms.
Frequently asked questions
What age would the EU require to open a social media account?
According to the BBC, only children over the age of 15 would be able to set up their own social media accounts under the plan.
When was the EU plan announced?
The BBC reported the announcement on 17 September 2026.
Who would the restrictions affect?
The plan is aimed at children, with those under 15 unable to set up their own social media accounts under the proposals.