Ursula von der Leyen urges scrutiny of kids’ screen time on Mental Health Day, highlighting how platforms may affect young people's well‑being.
Ursula von der Leyen used Mental Health Day to spotlight how much time kids spend on screens in Europe, about 4 to 6 hours daily. She also pressed for tighter platform accountability to protect young people’s mental health.
What it means for you: review kids’ device settings, have open chats about online life, and stay aware of any upcoming European rules on how platforms design for minors. Watch for official EU proposals in the coming weeks.
Ursula von der Leyen used Mental Health Day to spotlight a concern that has been building for years: the impact of screens and online platforms on young people. In a post on Bluesky, the European Commission president notes that young Europeans spend on average 4 to 6 hours a day in front of screens. She framed this as a moment to ask families to check in on how children are really doing as they engage with digital technology daily.
Her message also takes aim at platforms themselves, arguing that for years they have been “playing fast and loose with our children’s mental health.” While the exact policy proposals aren’t laid out in the post, the emphasis is clear: the EU wants greater responsibility from tech companies when it comes to safeguarding minors online and reducing potential harms linked to digital life.
The post arrives at a time when policymakers across the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada are watching closely how platforms design for young users, how they moderate content, and how data practices affect well‑being. Von der Leyen’s words align with broader European debates about age verification, content controls, and more transparent default privacy settings for younger accounts.
This Mental Health Day, ask your kids how they are.
Young Europeans spend on average 4 to 6 hours a day on screens.
Engaging with some of the most sophisticated technology ever created.
For years, platforms have been playing fast and loose with our children's mental health.
Ursula von der Leyen, on Bluesky
For families, this is about having proactive conversations with kids about screen use and digital well‑being. It’s also a reminder that the tools kids use online aren’t just entertainment; they’re social spaces that can shape mood and behavior. Schools and parents may see renewed interest in digital literacy programs, mental health resources, and guidelines that help kids navigate online life more safely.
When leaders talk about platform responsibility, they’re often referring to how apps set defaults for minors, how algorithms promote content, and how data about young users is collected and used. The aim is to reduce exposure to harmful content, limit addictive design choices, and provide straightforward paths to report issues or disable certain features for younger accounts.
The post signals political momentum in Europe around youth well‑being and digital environments. While exact regulatory steps aren’t announced in the statement, expect continued discussion about stronger standards for child protection, stricter data rules for minors, and clearer reporting requirements for social platforms operating in EU markets.
For everyday users, the takeaway is simple: be mindful of how much time you or your kids spend online, and know where to adjust settings. If you’re a parent, review age settings on apps, consider time limits, and keep open lines of communication with children about what they encounter online. For adults, use family safety features and make sure your own account privacy controls are set to protect younger relatives who might be using family devices.
Expect European policymakers to keep this topic in the headlines as they consider potential rules around platform design and child protection. Companies with services used by minors may face increased scrutiny over default settings and the visibility of harmful content. If you’re curious about how your country will respond, look for official statements from your own government or regulator in the weeks ahead.
She urged families to ask kids how they are on Mental Health Day and highlighted that young Europeans spend 4 to 6 hours a day on screens, while pointing to platform practices affecting mental health.
The post comes on Mental Health Day and aligns with ongoing European discussions about safeguarding minors online and ensuring platform accountability.
Check the privacy and safety settings on devices used by your kids, set reasonable screen-time rules, and have regular conversations about what they see online.
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