EU Chief Warns of AI Hacking Threats, Proposes Stricter Social Media Rules for Children

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a stark warning on Tuesday regarding the escalating dangers of artificial intelligence-powered cyberattacks and announced a comprehensive regulatory framework aimed at restricting social media access for minors. Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, von der Leyen outlined an urgent agenda to shield the bloc's digital infrastructure from adversarial AI models while simultaneously addressing the psychological harms children face on online platforms.

The EU leader emphasized that state actors and hostile entities are rapidly developing advanced AI systems capable of executing sophisticated hacking campaigns. These tools threaten to compromise critical data, disrupt essential services, and manipulate public opinion across member states. Von der Leyen stated that current cybersecurity measures are insufficient against the speed and scale of these emerging threats, necessitating immediate legislative action to fortify European digital defenses.

In parallel with the security concerns, the Commission President introduced new proposals designed to limit social media usage among children under the age of 16. The regulations target specific harms identified by EU officials, including cyberbullying, predatory behavior, and algorithmic mechanisms engineered to capture and hold young users' attention for extended periods. The proposed rules would mandate that platforms implement strict age-verification protocols and disable default settings that encourage excessive engagement among minors.

Von der Leyen argued that the convergence of AI-driven disinformation and unregulated social media environments creates a unique risk profile for European youth. She noted that algorithms optimized for engagement often amplify harmful content, leaving children vulnerable to manipulation and mental health crises. The new framework seeks to force technology companies to prioritize safety over profit by imposing heavy fines on platforms that fail to comply with the updated standards.

The announcement comes as the European Union continues to position itself as a global regulator of digital technology, following the implementation of the Digital Services Act and the AI Act in previous years. However, the scope of the new measures has sparked debate among industry leaders who argue that overly restrictive rules could stifle innovation and limit access to educational resources for young people.

While von der Leyen presented the proposals as a necessary step to protect citizens, the timeline for implementation remains unclear. The European Parliament must now review the draft legislation, a process that could take months or even years depending on the level of political consensus achieved. Furthermore, the technical feasibility of enforcing age restrictions without compromising user privacy remains a significant hurdle that lawmakers have yet to fully address.

As negotiations begin, questions linger regarding how the EU will define and monitor "adversarial" AI models in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. The Commission has indicated it will seek international cooperation to establish global standards, but the effectiveness of such efforts depends on the willingness of non-EU nations to align with Brussels' strict regulatory approach.