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EU to Ban Social Media for Under-13s, Set Minimum Age of 15
Developing
In Short: The European Commission is set to unveil plans to ban social media for children under 13 and limit access for those aged 13 to 15, with parental consent required for the latter group.
The European Commission is set to unveil plans to ban social media for children under 13 and limit access for those aged 13 to 15, with parental consent required for the latter group. According to reports, the plans are to include a "block" or "delay" on children and teenagers' access to social media sites, as outlined in the DutchNews and MacRumors reports. The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, is expected to outline these measures in her annual State of the Union speech to the European Parliament next Wednesday, as reported by the Tribune and WIRED.
The DutchNews and MacRumors reports indicate that the Netherlands and Spain have sent joint proposals to the European Commission calling for a single minimum age across the bloc, with privacy-friendly age checks. The Dutch government has backed an EU-wide minimum age for social media, ahead of proposals from Brussels expected next week, according to DutchNews. The proposal for a total ban on social media for children under 13 was announced in Wednesday’s State of the Union speech, where von der Leyen set out the Union’s priorities for the year ahead, as reported by WIRED.
The plans aim to protect children from abuse and addictive behavior, with social media companies, online gaming services, and AI chatbots required to introduce safeguards. The EU will ban children under 13 from using social media platforms, some gaming platforms, and AI chatbots without parental supervision, according to MacRumors. Among those listening in the grand chamber was Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose country has also moved to curb social media for under-16s, as reported by the Tribune. A global backlash against social media has piled pressure on policymakers, with a rising body of evidence showing negative impacts on children's physical and mental health.
What's confirmed
- European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is expected to outline how the bloc can can limit social media by children in her annual State of the Union speech to the European Parliament next Wednesday.
What's still developing
- “The same standard must apply online.” D66, VVD and CDA agreed in their coalition agreement to push for an enforceable European minimum age of 15.
- And therefore, each will have its own tailored protection level," she said. "No social media under the age of 13.
- Australia last year became the first country to ban social media for under-16s, triggering a wave of similar moves elsewhere.
- Children aged 13 to 15 will also not be allowed personal social media accounts but will be able to access social media through mini accounts set up and supervised by parents and guardians, with limited features, for one hour per day.
Sources
- India News Networklink