EU announces plan to restrict social media access for children

The EU has announced plans to restrict social media access for under-16s across its member states, in a bid to increase wellbeing and tackle online safety.

Under the plans, there would be a gradual approach to children using social media which would include banning under 13s from accessing platforms.

Those aged 13 to 15 would only be able to access platforms for an hour per day via "mini accounts" set up through their parent or guardian's social media account.

The European Commission said social media companies would need to prove their platforms were safe by design, while EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said the move would "put parents back in the driving seat".

She added the legislation - called the EU Kids Act - would give parents "the tools to help their children navigate a safer world".

Under the act, only children aged 15 and over would be able to set up their own social media accounts.

Von der Leyen has previously proposed a social media "delay" for children in Europe, saying in May that "the discussion about a minimum age for social media can no longer be ignored".

The policy, formally outlined on Thursday, was also trailed in the EU chief's annual address to the EU Parliament on Wednesday.