Regulatory Watch  /  European Union  /  Proposed bill
Moderate impactProposed billAnnounced

EU Commission to propose EU-wide minimum age for social media, linked to Digital Fairness Act

The European Commission will release a legislative proposal by the end of 2026 establishing an EU-wide minimum age for social media, building on the Special Panel's age‑tiered framework. The proposal may be incorporated into the Digital Fairness Act, which would address personalized ads, influencer marketing, age‑assurance measures and default safety settings for children. Enforcement would likely involve consumer‑protection authorities alongside the Digital Services Act.

Why it matters: The upcoming proposal could set EU‑wide age limits for minors on social platforms, reshaping platform design and advertising practices.

Summary generated from the sources below. Check the primary source before relying on it; this is not legal advice.

Sources
Horizon Scan: Children’s Online Safety and Privacy (EU and Beyond)
Covington Inside Privacy · primary source · Sep 14, 2026
Details
JurisdictionEuropean Union
RegulatorEuropean Commission
LegislatureEuropean Commission
LawDigital Services Act
StatusAnnounced
PublishedSeptember 14, 2026
Effectivenot stated
Topicschildren, targeted advertising, profiling, privacy
Datapersonal, biometric, children