Breaking News: Meta’s Proposal for Social Media Age Regulation
06.07.2025 – 01:00 a.m.
Read time: 2 min
In a significant move, Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has signalled its support for introducing age limits on social media usage across Europe. This development comes amidst a growing concern about the impact of social media on young users.
Meta’s Position on Age Limits
Meta’s director of public policy in Europe, Semjon Rens, has voiced the company’s approval for a Europe-wide regulation setting a minimum age for social media usage. Unlike advocating for an outright ban, Meta favors a recommendation rather than a mandatory restriction.
“We believe that a ban would be too extreme,” Rens stated, emphasizing Meta’s stance of finding a balanced approach to social media regulation.
EU Member States Debate on Minimum Age Limits
The debate surrounding age limits for social media has escalated, with Denmark taking the lead in pushing the issue at the EU level during its presidency. According to Marie Bjerre, Danish European Minister, social media significantly influences children’s well-being.
“We see how social media influences our children and our well-being,” Bjerre remarked to journalists in Aarhus, underscoring the need for more regulation.
German Public Opinion
A recent YouGov survey in Germany revealed that 70 percent of respondents support a minimum age for accessing social media. Among those, 57 percent suggested an age limit of 16 years, while 16 percent proposed 18 years.
Divergent Opinions Among German Politicians
German politics is split on the issue, with Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig supporting an age limit while CSU boss Markus Söder dismisses the idea, characterizing it as “total nonsense” that would only increase the appeal of platforms like TikTok and Instagram for young users.
Future Implications and Steps Forward
As the discourse on social media regulation continues, Meta’s support for a uniform Europe-wide solution could pave the way for effective measures to protect young users. The upcoming months will reveal whether the EU can achieve consensus and implement these critical safety guidelines.
We invite you to share your thoughts: Should there be a minimum age for using social media? Join the conversation by commenting below.
