An expert panel commissioned by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has recommended a minimum age of 13 for platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat. Von der Leyen announced the push for EU-wide age restrictions on July 13 and plans to present a draft regulation after summer 2026.
Austria is moving faster. The government is developing a national social media ban for children under 14, with Media Minister Andreas Babler having promised the measure by summer 2026, though final consultations remain underway. State Secretary Alexander Pröll criticised the EU timeline as too slow and said Austria would proceed with its own approach.
The debate is fuelled by mounting concern over youth screen use. Research cited by German media found that 1.5 million young people in Germany show problematic social media habits, while a separate experts' commission has recommended banning mobile phones in schools up to the seventh grade.