STRASBOURGH, France (AFP) — The European Union will ban social media for children under 13 and allow only limited, supervised access until the age of 15 under plans unveiled Wednesday by EU chief Ursula von der Leyen.

A global backlash against social media has piled pressure on policymakers, with a rising body of evidence showing negative impacts on children’s physical and mental health.

“It is time for Europe to act,” Von der Leyen said during her annual keynote address to the European Parliament. “It is we who decide our rules, not big tech,” she warned.

Australia last year became the first country to ban social media for under-16s, triggering similar moves elsewhere, but the European Commission chief said the 27-country bloc would take a more “gradual” approach.

“No social media under the age of 13. No personal account under the age of 15,” she said. “That means from 13 to under 15, only mini accounts, set up and supervised by parents or guardians, with limited features and time restriction to one hour a day.”