“We in Europe believe that parents bring up our kids, and not predatory algorithms”. That was said by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on presenting the Report of the Special Panel on Child Safety Online that looks at benefits, opportunities and risks of children’s social media algorithms. “I have been eagerly awaiting your recommendations, and I am looking forward to reading this report”, Von der Leyen added. And she hinted that “what we already have is a consensus that there needs to be a start date for the age children can join social media” and that “allowing big tech unrestricted access to our children will only consign another generation to more mental harm, addiction and misery”. Six hours a day that can steal twenty years of their life: this is the time young people spend on their smartphones today. “We cannot expect children to succeed in a system that was never designed with their wellbeing in mind, when they are most vulnerable”. The consequence, according to Von der Leyen, is that platforms are responsible for their safety and have a duty to protect their users, especially the most vulnerable ones. “We need age-appropriate restrictions to platforms” to provide safety. And a minimum age needs to be established for access to social media, just like the one that applies to driving licences or alcohol, Von der Leyen explained. And no screens until three years of age so as to protect childhood, because “once it is gone, we cannot give it back”. In the light of the Report and its recommendations, the EU Commission will submit proposals after the summer.