An expert group convened by the European Union will begin work on Thursday to examine whether children should face age restrictions on social media platforms, with recommendations expected by the summer.

The consultative panel, launched in September by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, will advise the Commission on possible additional measures to strengthen the protection of minors online. 

The move follows developments in Australia, where legislation adopted in December requires platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat to remove accounts held by users under 16 or face substantial fines.

Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier said the panel would hold a series of meetings to “advise the President and the Commission as a whole on potential additional measures to protect our kids online.” The Commission has not disclosed the names of the experts involved.

Several member states, including France, Denmark, Greece and Spain has been pushing for similar action at EU level.