# EU Calls for Social Media Safety for Kids Under 13 The European Union urges social media platforms to become safe for children. - **Source:** [Fortune | FORTUNE](https://brifing.si/source/769282ef-327a-4454-909a-3c7936216004) - **Published:** 2026-07-13 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/36c2749b-4cfe-4948-b2f2-732ea5caaf17 ## EU's Call to Social Media The European Union is demanding that social media platforms become safe for children under 13. This call comes as the risks children face in digital environments continue to grow. ## Proposal for Age Restrictions European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed phased access for different age groups. She emphasized that children under 3 should not be exposed to screens at all. ## Global Examples Countries like Australia, the UK, Turkey, and Indonesia have banned access to platforms like TikTok and Instagram for those under 15-16. These decisions are seen as important steps for children's digital safety. ## Warning to Tech Companies The EU has warned companies like Meta to remove addictive design features. Failure to comply could result in hefty fines. ## Role of Parents Von der Leyen stated that social media use for children under 13 should be supervised by parents and limited in duration. This is seen as a critical step in protecting children. ## Future Steps The EU is preparing new proposals for children's digital safety. These proposals will be evaluated and implemented by member states. Protecting children has become one of the top priorities in the digital age. ## Sources covering this story - https://fortune.com/2026/07/13/eu-social-media-under-13-safety-burden/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._