EU state and government heads agreed on a minimum age for social media like TikTok and Instagram at the Brussels summit. The aim is to protect minors in the digital space. Implementation remains up to member states.
At the EU summit in Brussels, the heads of state and government of EU countries emphasized in a declaration the protection of minors in the digital space. They called for a minimum age for access to social media to reduce risks like uncontrolled content. The declaration stresses that it is important to protect children and young people from dangers, including through an age limit.
Individual member states will have flexibility in national implementation. An expert group is to advise on the approach within the EU by the end of the year. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen compared age requirements for social media to those for tobacco and alcohol and cited Australia as a model. There, platforms like X, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram will soon be accessible only from age 16. In the EU, a verification app could be used for age checks.
In Germany, the debate is controversial. Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) and Greens leader Franziska Brantner support an age limit. However, Bavaria's Minister President Markus Söder (CSU) criticizes the initiative: "A ban would make TikTok, Instagram, and the like even more interesting for young people and children." EU states are drawing on international approaches to strengthen youth protection without overburdening platforms.