The European Commission has instructed EU member states to suspend their individual social media bans targeting minors for 12 months, seeking instead to establish a unified regulatory framework across the bloc. Austria, which submitted its draft legislation on 28 July, became the first nation to face this freeze. The Commission's review period for Austria's proposal concluded on Thursday, when spokesperson Thomas Regnier made the announcement in Brussels.
The Commission has decided to postpone for 12 months any draft national laws overlapping with the future harmonised rules.
Thomas Regnier, Commission spokesperson
Vienna's response was swift and critical. Alexander Pröll, Austria's state secretary, rejected the delay, stating that "it is unacceptable for Brussels to block member states from enacting national laws without presenting a completed European solution of its own." Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler echoed this frustration to Politico Europe, saying he had "no sympathy" for the postponement. Austria intends to continue developing its legislation so the ban can take effect immediately once the 12-month pause concludes.
Greece and France chart their own course
Not all member states are bound by the Commission's freeze. Greece, which enacted an under-15 ban last week and notified Brussels before the EU proposal was tabled, is expected to retain its law. Similarly, France, which submitted its draft early, is unlikely to face a block from the Commission despite being asked to revise its proposal. France's Constitutional Council had previously struck down an initial French ban in August.
Austria's draft establishes a 14-year age threshold for video-sharing platforms and mandates age verification mechanisms. Other countries, including Italy, still have their proposals under Commission review. Denmark is another holdout, pressing forward with its own legislation. Danish digital minister Christina Egelund told Politico Europe that "the problems are urgent."
The EU Kids Act and the race against time
The Commission unveiled the EU Kids Act in September, which would prohibit users under 13 from accessing most social media platforms and restrict access for those under 15. The rationale behind seeking a single standard is to prevent platforms from navigating 27 different national age limits. Brussels also worries that once countries implement their own rules, they will lose momentum for the EU-wide legislation.
However, the path to adoption remains uncertain. The European Parliament and EU governments must still reach agreement on the Kids Act, and reporting from Politico Europe suggests implementation may not occur until 2028. This timeline has prompted several capitals to move ahead independently rather than wait for a continent-wide solution.
Source: The Next Web
