EU introduces restrictions after declaring social media algorithms a threat to children
Social media faces age rules similar to alcohol and driving laws (photo: Pixabay)
The European Union is preparing legislation to restrict children's access to social media. The move comes amid growing concerns over the impact of social platforms on young people's mental health and the influence of recommendation algorithms, according to Bloomberg.
Age limits and parental supervision
The proposed legislation is based on a phased approach to children's access to digital platforms.
Under the plan, children under the age of 13 would only be allowed to use social media under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian.
For teenagers, the level of access would depend on how effectively social media platforms protect users from harmful content and cyberbullying.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen compared online safety rules to "the accepted norms of the real world."
She argued that just as children cannot legally drive a car or buy alcohol before reaching a certain age, clear age restrictions should also apply to social media.
Brussels says the goal is to protect children from the harmful effects of recommendation algorithms and allow them to develop their identities in the real world.
A global trend and growing pressure on Big Tech
With the proposed legislation, the European Union is joining a broader global push to limit children's access to social media.
Australia has already introduced strict rules for young users, while the UK and several other countries are developing similar measures.
Within the EU, France, Portugal, Denmark, Greece, Poland, Austria, Ireland, and the Netherlands are also considering national restrictions, increasing pressure on Brussels to introduce a single standard across all 27 member states.
At the same time, legal pressure on major technology companies continues to grow.
- A US jury this year ordered Meta and Google to pay damages to a girl whose mental health was harmed by social media addiction.
- The European Commission has expanded its investigation into Meta over the company's alleged use of interface designs that intentionally encourage addictive behavior among children.
If found in violation of EU rules, major tech companies could face multi-billion-euro fines, as European regulators increasingly expect platform operators, not parents, to prove their services are safe for children.
To help enforce the future rules, the EU has already introduced a dedicated age verification app, allowing online services to verify users' ages while protecting their personal data and privacy.
