EU announces plan to restrict social media access for under-15s
The EU has announced plans to restrict social media access for under-15s across its member states, in a bid to increase wellbeing and tackle online safety. Under the plans, there would be a gradual approach to children using social media which would include banning under 13s from accessing platforms. Those aged 13 to 15 would […] The post EU announces plan to restrict social media access for…
The European Union has proposed a plan to limit social media access for children under the age of 15 in an effort to enhance well-being and address online safety concerns. The initiative, aptly named the EU Kids Act, aims to gradually introduce children to social media platforms and impose strict rules on their usage. This includes prohibiting children under the age of 13 from accessing these platforms, with those aged between 13 and 15 only permitted to use "mini accounts" created and monitored by their parents or guardians.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that social media companies would need to demonstrate the safety of their platforms and vowed to empower parents by providing them with necessary tools to guide their children through an often unpredictable online world. The legislation would grant children aged 15 and above the ability to create their own accounts, while also mandating companies to submit comprehensive child safety plans.
These plans will necessitate platforms to adhere to the principle of safety by design, eschewing toxic or addictive features and ensuring that no harmful traps are present.
Von der Leyen stressed that an age limit should not be a license for tech companies to evade responsibility for the content on their platforms. To verify the age of users under the age of 18, platforms would leverage the EU's existing age verification application. Some EU nations, such as France and Spain, have already taken steps to restrict social media use among children, with their policies expected to take precedence over potential EU-wide measures. Nevertheless, individual member states could still implement more stringent regulations.
The proposed legislation draws inspiration from Australia's recent decision to ban several social media platforms for users under 16. However, the enforcement of this ban proved challenging due to the absence of fines imposed on tech firms, despite evidence indicating that many under-16s continue to utilize these platforms. The UK plans to introduce a similar ban for under-16s in early 2024.
The European Commission has taken cues from Australia's experience when formulating its proposal. The specific platforms targeted by the EU's proposed measures remain uncertain, although the Commission has considered Australia's example in crafting the legislation.
Written by urgent.news from KBC's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
