---
title: "EU plans ban on social media for under-13s"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/eu-plans-ban-on-social-media-for-under-13s"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/eu-plans-ban-on-social-media-for-under-13s"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/eu-plans-ban-on-social-media-for-under-13s.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/eu-plans-ban-on-social-media-for-under-13s"
category: "Politics"
area: "European Union"
published: "2026-09-16T09:25:12.010Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-16T09:08:00.000Z"
updated: "2026-09-16T09:25:12.010Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 61
hype_score: 41
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-16T09:15:26.482605+00:00"
---

# EU plans ban on social media for under-13s

*Ursula von der Leyen announced proposals for the 'EU Kids Act' during her State of the Union address.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to Ursula von der Leyen; one full report and 33 digests provide corroboration.
- Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. Most outlets are digests, limiting the depth of reporting. One full report is available.
- Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use strong language like 'ban' and 'veto' which is somewhat supported by the reporting.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- The European Commission plans to propose a ban on social media for children under 13 years of age.
- Children aged 13 to 15 will have restricted access, possibly through 'mini-accounts' supervised by parents.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the proposals during her State of the Union address.
- The proposed legislation will be called the 'EU Kids Act'.

The European Commission intends to propose a ban on social media for children under 13 years of age. For those between 13 and 15, access will be restricted, potentially through 'mini-accounts' that require parental supervision. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced these proposals during her State of the Union address. The legislation is to be known as the 'EU Kids Act'.

## Coverage

## Omissions

None of the centre-rated reports covered this story. None of the left-rated digests mentioned the specific case of Olà, a 14-year-old Belgian girl who died by suicide, which was cited by El Mundo as a reason for the proposed legislation.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 9 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 22% (2)
- Centre: 0% (0)
- Right: 78% (7)

26 of 35 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-16T09:15:26.482605+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 2 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-16T09:45:21.502Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The left-rated reports led on the proposed ban for children under 13. Both reports mentioned Ursula von der Leyen's announcement during the State of the Union address. They also noted the plan for restricted access for 13 to 15-year-olds. One report quoted von der Leyen saying, 'We do not have to accept that children are drawn into increasingly extreme content'.

### Centre

No separate framing summary.

### Right

- The right-rated reports focused on the proposed ban for children under 13 and restricted access for those up to 15. Seven reports mentioned Ursula von der Leyen's announcement during the State of the Union address. One report stated that the EU wants to ban social networks for children under 13 years of age and limit them to 15 years of age. Another report included a quote from von der Leyen: 'No social networks under the age of 13'.

**Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 1
- mixed: 3
- high: 5
- unknown: 26

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [echo24.cz](https://echo24.cz/a/HvbP2/zpravy-svet-do-13-let-bez-socialnich-siti-do-15-let-omezene-ucty-eu-chysta-nova-pravidla-pro-online-platformy) — Under 13 Years without Social Networks, Under 15 Years Limited Accounts. EU Plans New Rules for Online Platforms
- [Sibiu 100%](https://sibiu100.ro/international/ursula-von-der-leyen-anunta-reguli-noi-pentru-copii-pe-retelele-sociale-fara-social-media-sub-13-ani-si-fara-cont-personal-sub-15-ani) — Von Der Leyen Announces New Rules for Children on Social Networks
- [www.dnevnik.bg](https://dnevnik.bg/evropa/2026/09/16/4956082_fon_der_laien_bez_profili_v_socialnite_mreji_do_15/?ref=rss) — Von Der Leyen: No Social Media Accounts Under 15, No Use Under 13
- [vecernji.ba](https://vecernji.ba/vijesti/zabranjuju-se-drustvene-mreze-u-europi-za-mlade-od-13-godina-djeca-do-15-moci-ce-imati-samo-mini-racune-1995780) — SOCIAL NETWORKS ARE BANNED IN EUROPE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 13 YEARS OLD! Children up to 15 Will only Be Able to Have 'Mini Account'
- [Aftonbladet](https://aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/QJz6KA/eu-vill-forbjuda-sociala-medier-for-barn) — EU Wants to Ban Social Media for Children
- [bd.nl](https://bd.nl/nieuws/eu-kondigt-verbod-op-sociale-media-aan-voor-kinderen-onder-13-jaar~ae44c18d) — EU Announces Ban on Social Media for Children Under 13
- [Helsinki Times](https://helsinkitimes.fi/world-int/29278-eu-plans-social-media-ban-for-children-under-13.html) — EU plans social media ban for children under 13
- [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/09/16/2595485.html) — They want to ban social networks for children under 13 years of age all over the EU The EC will send such a proposal to the countries of the Union
- [Handelsblatt](https://handelsblatt.com/politik/international/soziale-medien-eu-kuendigt-social-media-verbot-fuer-kinder-an/100253654.html) — Social Media: EU Announces Social Media Ban for Children
- [Cronika](https://cronika.hr/vijesti/2026/von-der-leyen-najavila-potpunu-zabranu-drustvenih-mreza-za-djecu-mladu-od-13-godina) — Von Der Leyen Announced a Complete Ban on Social Networks for Children Under the Age of 13
- [The Objective | Periodismo ethos](https://theobjective.com/internacional/2026-09-16/von-der-leyen-redes-menores) — Von Der Leyen Asks to Veto Networks to Children Under the Age of 13 and Restricted Access up to the Age of 15
- [Edupedu](https://edupedu.ro/comisia-europeana-propune-interzicere-a-retelelor-sociale-pentru-copiii-sub-13-ani-adica-mai-mici-de-clasa-a-vi-a-intre-13-si-15-ani-sa-poata-fi-facute-doar-conturi-cu-limita-de-o-ora-supravegheate) — The European Commission Proposes a Ban on Social Networks for Children Under 13 Years of Age, i.e. Younger than the Seventh Grade. Between 13 and 15 Years of Age only One-Hour-Limited Accounts Supervised by Parents Can Be Made.
- [IOL Portugal](https://cnnportugal.iol.pt/uniao-europeia/ursula-von-der-leyen/ue-vai-proibir-redes-sociais-a-menores-de-13-anos-e-limitar-o-acesso-ate-aos-15-anos/20260916/6aaa5610d34e53c759c724fe) — EU Will Ban Social Networks for Children Under 13 Years of Age and Limit Access to 15 Years of Age
- [jabuka.tv](https://jabuka.tv/eu-uvodi-potpunu-zabranu-koristenja-drustvenih-mreza-za-mlade-od-13-godina) — The EU Introduces a Complete Ban on the Use of Social Networks for Children Under the Age of 13
- [Naftemporiki](https://naftemporiki.gr/kosmos/2162146/i-fon-nter-laien-anakoinose-ilikiakoys-periorismoys-sti-chrisi-ton-social-media) — Von Der Leyen Announces Age Restrictions on Social Media Use
- [estrepublicain.fr](https://estrepublicain.fr/politique/2026/09/16/ursula-von-der-leyen-souhaite-que-l-ue-interdise-les-reseaux-aux-moins-de-13-ans) — Europe. Ursula Von Der Leyen Wants the EU to Ban Networks for Children Under 13
- [bienpublic.com](https://bienpublic.com/politique/2026/09/16/ursula-von-der-leyen-souhaite-que-l-ue-interdise-les-reseaux-aux-moins-de-13-ans) — Europe. Ursula Von Der Leyen Wants the EU to Ban Networks for Children Under 13
- [republicain-lorrain.fr](https://republicain-lorrain.fr/politique/2026/09/16/ursula-von-der-leyen-souhaite-que-l-ue-interdise-les-reseaux-aux-moins-de-13-ans) — Europe. Ursula Von Der Leyen Wants the EU to Ban Networks for Children Under 13
- [lalsace.fr](https://lalsace.fr/politique/2026/09/16/ursula-von-der-leyen-souhaite-que-l-ue-interdise-les-reseaux-aux-moins-de-13-ans) — Europe. Ursula Von Der Leyen Wants the EU to Ban Networks for Children Under 13
- [24sata.hr](https://24sata.hr/news/von-der-leyen-eu-ce-zabraniti-drustvene-mreze-mladima-od-13-do-15-godina-posebni-profili-1154640) — EU Bans Social Media for Anyone Under 13!
- [dagensmedia.se](https://dagensmedia.se/digitalt/tech/eu-vill-se-aldersgrans-for-sociala-medier) — EU Wants to See Age Limit for Social Media
- [resume.se](https://resume.se/marknadsforing/tech/eu-vill-se-aldersgrans-for-sociala-medier) — EU Wants to See Age Limit for Social Media
- [vz.ru](https://vz.ru/news/2026/9/16/1451877.html) — Von Der Layen Announced Plans to Ban Social Media for Children Under the Age of 13
- [El Mundo](https://elmundo.es/internacional/2026/09/16/6aaa5475fc6c839a318b4592.html) — The EU Wants to Ban Social Media for Children Under 13 Years of Age and Limit Them to 15 Years of Age.
- [alfavita.gr](https://alfavita.gr/kosmos/560554_komision-teleionei-ta-social-media-gia-paidia-kato-ton-13-eton) — Commission: "Ends" Social Media for Children Under 13
- [EL ESPAÑOL](https://elespanol.com/mundo/europa/20260916/von-der-leyen-presenta-ley-prohibir-menores-anos-cuenta-propia-redes-sociales/1003744385055_0.html) — Von Der Leyen Introduces a Law to Prohibit Children Under 15 Years of Age From Having Their Own Account on Social Networks
- [Daily Sabah](https://dailysabah.com/business/tech/eu-to-ban-social-media-for-under-13s-allow-limited-use-for-under-15s) — EU to ban social media for under 13s, allow limited use for under 15s
- [suedtirolnews.it](https://suedtirolnews.it/chronik/von-der-leyen-social-media-altersgrenze-von-13-jahren) — Von Der Leyen: Social Media Age Limit of 13 Years
- [pmo.ee](https://pmo.ee/8546796) — Von Der Leyen Proposed Banning Social Media for Children Under 13
- [caleaeuropeana.ro](https://caleaeuropeana.ro/soteu-2026-ursula-von-der-leyen-propune-interzicerea-retelelor-sociale-sub-varsta-de-13-ani-si-a-conturilor-personale-sub-varsta-de-15-ani-noi-suntem-cei-care-stabilim-regulile-nu-marile-c) — SOTEU 2026. Ursula Von Der Leyen Proposes Banning Social Networks Under the Age of 13 and Personal Accounts Under the Age of 15: "We Are the Ones Who Set the Rules, Not the Big Technology companies."
- [RP Online](https://rp-online.de/politik/ausland/eu-kommission-will-social-media-europaweit-erst-ab-13-jahren_aid-154883881) — New Guidelines Planned: European Commission Wants Social Media only From 13 Years
- [NRK](https://nrk.no/nyheter/eu-vil-innfore-felles-aldersgrense-for-sosiale-medier-1.18026522) — EU to Introduce Common Age Limit for Social Media
- [Noticias de Navarra](https://noticiasdenavarra.com/union-europea/2026/09/16/union-europea-redes-sociales-menores-von-der-leyen-11547438.html) — The European Union Will Ban Social Networks for Children Under 13 Years of Age
- [National Cyber Security](https://nationalcybersecurity.com/von-der-leyen-moves-to-lock-down-social-media-for-under-15s-across-europe-childpredator-kidsaftey-childsaftey-2) — Von der Leyen Moves to Lock Down Social Media for Under-15s Across Europe | #childpredator | #kidsaftey | #childsaftey - National Cyber Security Consulting
- [turi2](https://turi2.de/aktuell/zahl-des-tages-die-eu-kommission-will-ein-mindestalter-von-15-jahren-fuer-social-media-accounts-einfuehren) — Number of Days: The EU Commission Wants to Introduce a Minimum Age of 15 for Social Media Accounts.

## Questions

**What is the EU proposing regarding social media for children?**

The European Commission plans to propose a ban on social media for children under 13. Those aged 13 to 15 would have restricted access, potentially through 'mini-accounts' supervised by parents. The legislation is to be known as the 'EU Kids Act'.

**Who announced these proposals?**

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced these proposals during her State of the Union address. She stated that the EU must act to protect children from the risks associated with social media.

**What is the 'EU Kids Act'?**

The 'EU Kids Act' is the proposed name for the new legislation aimed at restricting children's access to social media. It will establish age limits and specific access rules for different age groups.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/eu-plans-ban-on-social-media-for-under-13s. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "EU plans ban on social media for under-13s", https://mediabias.news/politics/eu-plans-ban-on-social-media-for-under-13s