EU proposes child social media limits
EU announces plan to restrict social media access for under-15s
Thursday, 17 September 2026
Warm-up
- How old were you when you joined your first social platform?
- What online risks for teenagers worry parents in your country?
- How should age limits for apps be checked, if at all?
Vocabulary
- legislation
- A law or set of laws formally proposed or passed by a government.
- enforce
- To make people obey a rule or law by using authority or penalties.
- verification
- The process of checking that something, like age, is true or correct.
- addictive
- Describing a design or feature that makes people want to keep using it.
- compulsive
- Hard to stop doing, even when you want to.
- supersede
- To replace something because a new rule or system takes its place.
- infringe
- To limit or break a right, such as freedom of expression.
- settlement
- An agreement that ends a legal case, often involving payment.
Reading
Under the EU Kids Act, under‑13s would be banned from social platforms. Teens aged 13 to 15 would use parent‑controlled “mini accounts” for up to one hour a day. Only those 15 and over are to set up their own accounts. Platforms are to prove they are safe by design or face fines of up to 6% of global sales. Ursula von der Leyen said the move would “put parents back in the driving seat” and require “no toxic or addictive features” or traps.
The legislation would cover TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, AI chatbots and online games. Age verification is to use the EU’s existing app, and the Commission says no personal data will be collected or shared. The rules could supersede national measures; France’s top court recently blocked an under‑15 ban as it infringed freedom of expression. Enforcement is expected to be contested.
In July, the European Commission issued preliminary findings that Meta’s features encourage compulsive use. Separately, Meta reached an $18bn settlement with US states over alleged harm to children, while denying wrongdoing. An EU survey found 92% of respondents want stronger protection for children online. Australia’s under‑16 ban was cited, though it has proved hard to enforce.
Comprehension
- What would the EU Kids Act do for children under 13?
- How much daily time would 13–15s get on mini accounts?
- What is the maximum fine platforms could face under the plan?
- Which country’s top court blocked an under‑15 ban?
- Which company faced EU criticism and made a large US settlement?
Grammar focus
Be to / be set to for official arrangements
Use be to / be set to for official or scheduled arrangements: be + to + verb (is to/are to + verb) or be + set to + verb. Use these forms for plans or decisions that are announced or scheduled. (Examples constructed.)
- Platforms **are to prove** they are safe by design.
- Under the proposal, teen accounts **are set to be** parent-controlled.
Grammar exercise
Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
- Under the proposal platforms (apply) ___ safety checks, if approved.
- Teen accounts (limit) ___ to one hour a day under the plan.
- Only those 15 and over (set) ___ up their own accounts.
- Platforms (face) ___ fines if they cannot show safety by design.
- If regulators approve, age checks (use) ___ the EU app in trials.
Discussion
- Should one EU rule replace different national approaches? Why?
- How can age verification protect privacy and still work well?
- Are design changes or time limits better for teen wellbeing?
- What roles should parents, schools, and tech firms each take?
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