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Von der Leyen Proposes EU Ban on Under-13 Social Media

By Drooid · Sep 16, 2026, 12:18 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

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EU President Ursula von der Leyen proposed banning under-13s from social media, games and chatbots in France.
She said 13-15-year-olds would receive guardian-chaperoned “mini accounts” under the plan.
The EU’s 27 members will vote on the ban in the coming weeks.
Von der Leyen warned the plan could spark tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion and add child-safety measures to Facebook and Instagram.

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Story summary

EU President Ursula von der Leyen proposed banning under-13s from social media, games and chatbots in France.
She said 13-15-year-olds would receive guardian-chaperoned “mini accounts” under the plan.
The EU’s 27 members will vote on the ban in the coming weeks.
Von der Leyen warned the plan could spark tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion and add child-safety measures to Facebook and Instagram.