European parliament calls for social media ban on under-16s

Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, has warned of a ‘tsunami of tech flooding homes’. Photograph: Yves Herman/Reuters

Children under 16 should be banned from using social media unless their parents decide otherwise, the European parliament says.

MEPs passed a resolution on age restrictions on Wednesday by a large majority. Although not legally binding, it raises pressure for European legislation amid growing alarm about the mental health risks to children of unfettered internet access.