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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday that the European Union will take steps to restrict young children's access to social media across the 27-country bloc, in the largest effort of its kind to date to protect against online risks.

Von der Leyen presented a working paper prepared by two experts recommending a phased approach, where children under 13 would be allowed to use social media only for limited periods under the supervision of parents, guardians, or teachers. These restrictions would be gradually lifted as teenagers grow older.

Von der Leyen told reporters in Brussels: "It is clear that we need age-appropriate restrictions on platforms," according to Reuters.

She added: "The question is no longer whether children face risks online, but what we can do to give them a safer start in the digital world."

She indicated that she would likely follow the experts' suggestions and that the Commission would present a practical proposal after the summer. It is expected to be announced in her annual State of the Union address in September.

Australia, Britain, China, India and the United States have imposed or are considering imposing bans on social media, targeting mainly platforms like TikTok, Alphabet's YouTube, and Meta's Instagram and Facebook.

Von der Leyen said: "We first need to identify the type of platforms that harm our children. Evidence shows that these are primarily social media platforms, along with other service providers that offer features inappropriate for young ages or that are addictive. So they can be considered a category that includes social media and others."

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