The European Union is considering new regulations for children's social media access, including age limits and proof of safety from platforms. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen supports a phased approach to restrict access for younger users and plans to propose legislation soon, impacting existing global discussions on child safety online.
The European Union is exploring significant new restrictions on social media access for children and teenagers. Proposed measures include age limits, outright bans on certain age groups, and evidence that platforms are safe for young users.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that the goal is to determine when social media can access children rather than if they can access social media.
A panel of experts recommended a phased approach to social media access based on age. This includes no screen exposure for children under 3, supervised use for those under 13, and limited access for older teens.
Such recommendations aim to create a responsible framework for children's online interactions.
Von der Leyen indicated that the European Commission will propose new legislation following a review of the panel's recommendations. This initiative is intended to be put forward after the summer.
The resulting laws could significantly influence social media practices across the EU and contribute to global efforts to address children's online safety.
The proposed regulations could compel social media platforms to demonstrate the safety of their services for younger audiences. A prior investigation found Meta in violation of the EU's Digital Services Act over design aspects deemed 'addictive'.
TikTok faced similar scrutiny earlier this year, indicating a trend towards tightening the regulations surrounding social media exposure for minors.
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The European Union is considering new regulations for children's social media access, including age limits and proof of safety from platforms. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen supports a phased approach to restrict access for younger users and plans to propose legislation soon, impacting existing global discussions on child safety online.