Europe seeks stricter age limits for TikTok, Instagram and Facebook

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed measures to restrict access to popular social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram for children under 13. She emphasized the need for age-appropriate restrictions, citing concerns about the potential impact of social media on children's mental health.

The plan aligns with similar proposals from countries such as Australia, the UK, China, India, Turkey, and several European nations. Von der Leyen argued that children are interacting with advanced technologies that were not designed with their well-being in mind. The proposed reform to the EU Kids Act aims to set clear boundaries in the digital world, similar to those in the physical world.

However, the non-profit organization CCIA Europe, representing major tech companies, expressed concerns over potential privacy risks and conflicting requirements under other EU laws. The initiative would grant parents more control over accounts of children aged 13 to 15 and subject platforms to stricter regulations, including banning addictive features and implementing child-safe designs and algorithms.

Platforms that fail to comply could face fines of up to 6% of their global annual revenue. The proposal will be discussed among EU member states and the European Parliament before becoming law.