France, Spain, Greece Push for EU-Wide Social Media Age Restrictions

France, Spain, and Greece are jointly advocating for mandatory age verification on social media platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), Bloomberg reported. Digital governance ministers from the three EU countries are coordinating proposals ahead of a June 6 meeting with EU counterparts.

The proposed rules would require internet-capable devices to integrate age verification technology. “We need to protect our children,” French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized during a recent television interview. Greece has already implemented restrictions this year, banning social media access for minors under 15 as part of national mental health protections.

The initiative addresses growing concerns about social media’s impact on youth, including addictive behaviors, impaired social development, and mental health risks. If adopted EU-wide, the measures would mark one of the region’s most comprehensive digital child protection policies.