EU chief pledges social media ban to protect children from ‘predatory algorithms’

Ursula von der Leyen said: ‘This is not about whether children can access social media. It is about whether and when social media can access our children.’ Photograph: Thierry Monasse/Getty Images

The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, has pledged an EU-wide social media ban for children after an expert group called for restrictions for those under 13.

“It is clear we need age-appropriate restrictions to platforms,” von der Leyen told reporters after the publication of a report on child safety online.