How countries in Europe are pushing for curbs on children's social media use
thelocal.comPublished: 6/6/2025
Summary
Europe is intensifying its push to limit online access for minors, driven by growing concerns over social media's negative impact on mental health and safety. Proposed measures include setting an age of digital adulthood and enforcing parental consent for platform use, with support from France, Greece, Spain, Denmark, and Cyprus. These efforts aim to protect children from harmful content and behavior, acknowledging that excessive screen time can lead to anxiety, depression, and addiction. The EU is also addressing technical failures by big tech companies, which are increasingly targeted under the Digital Services Act, alongside existing regulations for safer online environments.