The European Union has enacted legislation that prohibits all social media platforms from allowing users under the age of 13.

As of September 16, 2026, the European Union has not passed legislation prohibiting social media platforms from allowing users under the age of 13. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen formally introduced a proposal that day for a new regulatory framework, frequently described as the EU Kids Act, which would include restrictions on social media access for minors. Because the measure is in the proposal stage, it has not been enacted into law.click2houston.comclick2houston.comEu Chief Proposes Social Media Ban for Kids Under 13Proposal, Not Law: On September 16, 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen formally proposed a new set of regulations (often referred to in media reports as the "EU Kids Act") that includes a ban on social media access...sooleader.comsooleader.comEu Chief Proposes Bloc Wide Social Media Ban for Kids Under 13Proposal, Not Law: On September 16, 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen formally proposed a new set of regulations (often referred to in media reports as the "EU Kids Act") that includes a ban on social media access...+2 more

Existing European Union regulations, specifically the General Data Protection Regulation, do not impose a flat, bloc-wide age ban for social media. Instead, these regulations set a digital age of consent for data processing, generally between 13 and 16 years old, which requires platforms to obtain parental consent before processing the personal data of children below that threshold.better-internet-for-kids.europa.eubetter-internet-for-kids.europa.euMinimum Age Requirements Social MediaIf a child is below the national age of consent, platforms are required to obtain parental consent to process their personal data, which many platforms use as a basis to restrict account creation for those under 13uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.comuk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.comW 021 3094Existing Framework (GDPR): Currently, the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) does not set a flat, EU-wide age ban for social media Instead, it sets a "digital age of consent" for data processing—generally between 13...+1 more