EU Commission President proposes ban on social media for under‑13s and deeper ties with Canada

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used her annual State of the European Union address in Strasbourg on Wednesday to unveil a proposal that would prohibit children younger than 13 from accessing social‑media platforms, online games and generative‑AI chatbots. The initiative, presented as part of a broader effort to strengthen digital safety for minors, calls for EU member states to adopt uniform age‑verification mechanisms and to enforce stricter content‑moderation standards for services targeting young users. Von der Leyen emphasized that the measure aims to address growing concerns about the impact of pervasive online environments on children’s mental health and data privacy, and she indicated that the Commission will draft legislation for parliamentary debate later this year.

In the same speech, the president advocated for deepening transatlantic cooperation by offering Canada an “associate member” status within the European Union, a step intended to formalise closer ties on trade, security and regulatory alignment. The proposal reflects ongoing discussions about expanding the EU’s strategic partnerships beyond its borders and could pave the way for coordinated policies on technology standards, climate action and market access. Both initiatives are expected to be examined by the European Council and the European Parliament in the coming months, with member states set to weigh the implications for digital governance and external relations.