The European Commission is preparing changes to digital and security policy after President Ursula von der Leyen introduced a set of proposals in Strasbourg. Her speech focused on tighter rules for social media and artificial intelligence, a new security structure and a closer partnership with Canada.
Von der Leyen emphasized the need to protect minors on social platforms, making this a central part of her digital agenda. The push comes as European lawmakers respond to new online risks and the influence of large tech companies. Information from Reuters, the Commission is working on the EU Kids Act, which would ban social media for children under 13, require anonymous, parent-controlled accounts for those aged 13 to 15, and mandate "safe design" for users aged 15 to 18. Leaked drafts of the proposal indicate that restrictions would also apply to AI chatbots and online games for users under 15.
Artificial intelligence was another basic topic. Von der Leyen called for stricter oversight of advanced AI models, reflecting concerns about the rapid spread of powerful algorithms. The Commission wants platforms to prove their services are safe for minors, alongside controls that limit access by age.
Security cooperation was also a focus. Von der Leyen outlined plans for a new European security structure to adapt to changing geopolitical conditions. She also called for a stronger partnership with Canada, describing it as a central part of the EU’s external strategy. Reuters reports that von der Leyen wants to raise EU-Canada relations to the "highest possible level," including economic security and defense, alongside cooperation on energy and critical minerals, with cybersecurity also on the agenda. Her speech also floated the idea of granting Canada an 'associate status' with the EU, which would make it the first country to receive such a designation. The proposal is at the political stage and has not been agreed, but signals a potential shift in the EU’s approach to external partnerships and institutional architecture.
These priorities were presented during the State of the EU address, which sets the tone for the bloc’s legislative agenda. The proposals are still at the political stage and will need further negotiation before any changes take effect.
As the EU considers its next steps, the focus on digital safety and international alliances reflects ongoing debates about sovereignty and ability to recover. The Commission’s priorities on protecting minors and regulating AI fit with recent European efforts to take a more active role in technology and external partnerships. For context, similar discussions about cross-border cooperation and institutional reform have appeared elsewhere in Europe, such as Spain’s push for EU status for Ceuta and Melilla, reported earlier.
Von der Leyen’s agenda aims to put the EU in a stronger position on digital and security policy. Whether the proposals will lead to changes depends on how they move through the EU’s political process. For now, the Commission has set out priorities that could shape how Europe manages its digital rules and international partnerships in the coming years.
