World
Can a social media ban protect children from online violence?
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With a dangerous spike in cyberbullying and self-harm content to addictive algorithms, concerns about children’s online lives are mounting across Europe.
Should social media be banned for under-16s across the EU? Could that be the answer?
This week on The Ring, Euronews’ weekly debate show broadcast from the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs Axel Voss and Christel Schaldemose dive into this very question.
This week, Spain’s Prime Minister announced plans to introduce a ban on social media for under-16s. Speaking in Dubai, Pedro Sánchez compared online platforms to the “digital wild west” where laws are ignored, and harm goes unchecked.
France, Denmark, Greece, and Ireland are also exploring restrictions raising the potentiality of a fragmented legal landscape unless the EU steps in.
MEPs voted recently on a non-binding report calling for more ambitious EU action. Most want a minimum age of 16 for social media access. Christel Schaldemose of the Socialists and Democrats group, a vice-president of the Parliament and the lead rapporteur behind the EU’s landmark Digital Services Act is in favour.
Speaking on The Ring, Schaldemose argues that today’s platforms are simply not designed for children. Young users, she feels, are exposed to violence, suicide, bullying, and relentless commercial pressure, while addictive design features keep them online for hours every day.
“What is illegal offline must also be illegal online,” she has repeatedly insisted adding that platforms have failed to act voluntarily. In her view, a ban would send a clear signal — both to tech companies and to society — that children deserve stronger protection.
German MEP Axel Voss of the European People’s Party, a long-time digital policymaker best known for his work on EU copyright rules opposes a blanket ban. Voss agrees that social media can be harmful, not just to minors but to society as a whole. But he warns that banning young people from platforms does not equal protection.
Instead, Voss argues that the focus should be on regulating content, algorithms, and so-called “dark patterns” that drive addiction. Age bans, he says, are easy to bypass and risk ignoring the real problem: business models that profit from attention at any cost. He also raises concerns about freedom of expression and the difficulty of defining “good” and “bad” content in a politically divided Europe.
This episode of The Ring is anchored by Méabh Mc Mahon, produced by Luis Albertos and Amaia Echevarria, and edited by Vassilis Glynos.
Watch The Ring on Euronews TV or in the player above and send us your views by writing to thering@euronews.com
World
‘X-Men’ Star Famke Janssen Says Marvel ‘Made a Mistake’ By Not Asking Her to Return as Jean Grey in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
Famke Janssen said during a recent conversation with Nerdtropolis at Spacecon 2026 that Marvel “made a mistake” by not bringing her back as Jean Grey for December’s “Avengers: Doomsday.”
“I am so bad at keeping secrets that I always say to everyone I’m the worst actor in the world. It’s all on my face. You right away will read it,” Janssen said. “I think they made a mistake, but hey, who am I? I’m just a little me who thinks that.”
Janssen first appeared as the telepath Jean Grey, aka Phoenix, in 2000’s “X-Men,” and then reprised the role for 2003’s “X2: X-Men United” and 2006’s “X-Men: The Last Stand.” She also briefly appeared as Grey in 2013’s “The Wolverine” and 2014’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past.”
Janssen’s absence from “Doomsday” is notable, considering Marvel is bringing back many of her “X-Men” co-stars for the film. Patrick Stewart (Charles Xavier), Ian McKellen (Magneto), James Marsden (Cyclops), Kelsey Grammer (Beast), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler) and Rebecca Romijn (Mystique) are all set to return.
In an October 2025 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Janssen said in every interview she does, she’s asked about the future of Jean Grey in the MCU.
“It’s interesting,” Janssen said. “I didn’t realize that was such a big part. Every interview I do, that will come up, and of everything I say, that is going to be the only thing that’s gonna be printed.”
“I should be flattered, I suppose, that this character has resonated with people,” she added. “It’s been so long, but it’s nice that people are still talking about her. I’m sure every single time there’s a new movie that they’re doing, like [is it] ‘Doomsday?’ … it’ll come up again.”
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Authorities are responding after two passenger trains crashed into each other Friday near Bedford, England, killing at least one person and injuring nearly 90 others.
The East of England Ambulance Service said it was called to a collision involving two trains at Elstow, near Bedford, at about 5:15 p.m. local time and quickly declared a “major incident.”
One person died at the scene, 11 people suffered very serious injuries, 22 were seriously injured and 56 people had minor injuries, officials said.
Bedford is roughly 60 miles north of London.
2 TRAINS COLLIDE IN DENMARK, LEAVING 5 PEOPLE CRITICALLY INJURED
Two passenger trains collided Friday in the United Kingdom. (Fox News)
All the patients with the most serious injuries have been taken from the scene to hospital.
The ambulance service said it sent numerous resources to the scene, including more than 20 ambulances, specialist hazardous area response teams and six air ambulances.
MULTIPLE STABBED IN UK TRAIN ATTACK NEAR CAMBRIDGE AS POLICE ARREST 2 SUSPECTS
Emergency crews were pictured working near the scene. (Fox News)
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected, and we thank all emergency service colleagues for their swift response,” the ambulance service wrote in a statement.
The Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed its crews were also responding.
“Please avoid the area,” fire officials wrote in a statement on X.
Sources told The Telegraph the train driver was on the phone with maintenance staff discussing a safety issue at the time of the crash.
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This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
As Israel’s war on Lebanon rages, hundreds gather in Rmeileh by Sidon Gate to watch the 2026 World Cup. Organised by influencer Bilal Haddad, the fan zone offers food trucks, shisha and family activities, giving people a rare chance to relax. Al Jazeera’s Justin Salhani went to check it out.
Published On 20 Jun 2026
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