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I fear that moral panic over social media will deprive many children who do not conform to norms of a valuable resource, they will feel more isolated, more miserable - the other side of the mental health coin. #SOTEU

An awkward segue from democracy to parents not having control of children on screens, "It's a great capture of their attention, their focus and their minds". Parents can take phones away, they can limit time online. No social media under the age of 13. Only mini-accounts to age of 15. #SOTEU

No money for those who fail to respect rule of law #SOTEU

“Respecting the rule of law and fundamental rights is a must for EU funds,” VdL told MEPs. “With the next long-term budget we must go even further.”

Russia is intensifying its efforts to test, probe and intimidate Europe.

With the new Emergency Security Protocol, Europe will deter threats and respond together to acts of aggression.

An attack against one Member State is an attack against all of our Union.

#SOTEU2026 #SOTEU

Social media 'depriving children of their childhood,' von der Leyen says, as she confirms strict rules on social media #SOTEU www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...

'European democracy is being threatened' by disinformation, foreign interference, von der Leyen says #SOTEU www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...

@vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu makes a big announcement in #SOTEU 2026. #Canada will be the first associate member of the #EU. Big win for @mark-carney.bsky.social. @epc-official.bsky.social's Fabian Zuleeg called for this in his latest op-ed for the @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

I could not agree more: Europe’s farmers are the best in the world.

They endure difficult conditions to feed us. We acknowledge their hard work with gratitude.

I've met many of them all across the EU with 1 message: we stand by you.
A strong Europe needs strong farmers. #SOTEU

The need for #simplification is existential for our businesses – especially SMEs.

I join the call for 🇪🇺 MS to step up, and welcome the announcement of a pact against gold-plating.

And a new Banking Package focusing on simplification will increase the sector’s competitiveness.

#SOTEU2026 #SOTEU

"Nok er nok," siger @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu om sociale mediers skadevirkning på børn. Annoncerer aldersgrænse på 15 år for personlige konti og kun forældreovervågede konti fra 13 år. Større krav til sikkert design for 15-18-årige brugere #soteu

Von der Leyen rightly celebrates 12 April as the "day the Hungarian people took their future into their hands" by evicting Viktor Orbán from power in Hungary but overlooks the way her own EPP group waited until 2019 to suspend Fidesz's membership. Europeans could use an apology. #soteu #epp #fidesz

She continues "It is us who decide the rules: not big tech".

Highlights how addictive design doesn't just harm minors. highlights the upcoming Digital fairness act

⬇️ #SOTEU

Some good energy stuff from von der Leyen in #SOTEU speech - including on electrification, renewables, grids, and lowering power prices for competitiveness. Alternative is to light €90B on fire on fossil fuel imports for each Hormuz-style crisis.

Proposal: the "Kids act": a gradual and differentiated approach, with protection varying depending on age.

"No social media under 13".

"No personal account under the age of 15. With parental surveillance and 1 hour a day max"

This is insanly daft.

⬇️ #SOTEU

We do not have to accept big tech's harmful features for our children.

Tomorrow, we are proposing the KIDS ACT. For each age, a tailored protection level on online platforms.

And we will present a Digital Fairness Act - addressing online harms for all, not only minors.

#SOTEU

Big banger laat ze voor het einde, zoals verwacht: bescherming van kinderen online. "Enough is enough".

Von der Leyen kondigt een Kids Act aan, met gerichte aanpak per leeftijdsgroep, maar in ieder geval geen social media onder de 13.

#SOTEU #KidsAct #socialmedia

Die Zukunft ist elektrisch! Sagt Ursula von der Leyen.

Wie soll das gehen? Sie schwächt Gesetze für E-Autos, Wärmepumpen und Elektrifizierung der Industrie.

Die Öl- und Gasimporte kosten Europa über 400 Milliarden Euro.

Es braucht einen Plan raus aus Kohle, Öl- und Gas! #SOTEU

Von der Leyen says EU will draft tougher rules for emergency migration scenarios #SOTEU

VdL calls for even further ties between respect of #RuleOfLaw and access to #EU funds! Thanks parliament for doing it in the last budget.

⬇️ #SOTEU