The European Union has unveiled a new strategy aimed at regulating social media access for children under the age of 15 across its member nations. This initiative seeks to enhance the wellbeing of young users and address concerns surrounding online safety. The proposed regulations include a phased approach to social media engagement for minors, specifically prohibiting those under 13 from accessing these platforms.
For teenagers aged 13 to 15, the plan stipulates that they would be allowed to use social media for only one hour each day. Access would be facilitated through “mini accounts” that parents or guardians could manage via their own social media profiles. The European Commission emphasized that social media companies must demonstrate that their platforms are inherently safe, with EU President Ursula von der Leyen asserting that this legislation, known as the EU Kids Act, aims to empower parents in guiding their children through a safer online environment.
Key Features of the EU Kids Act
Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the pressing need for this legislation, stating, “Too many children are being exposed too early to an online world they are not prepared to navigate—an environment where bullying can invade their home and every mistake can be permanently recorded.” Under the proposed act, only individuals aged 15 and above would be permitted to create their own social media accounts.
Furthermore, von der Leyen assured EU Parliament members that establishing an age limit does not exempt technology companies from responsibility for the content shared on their platforms. If approved, the legislation would compel these companies to devise comprehensive safety plans focused on child protection. She stressed that for every user under 18, platforms must adhere to the principle of safety by design, which includes eliminating harmful or addictive features and avoiding deceptive practices.
Implementation and Age Verification
The proposal outlines that age verification will be conducted using the EU’s existing age verification application. Von der Leyen previously suggested a social media “delay” for minors in Europe, emphasizing the importance of establishing a minimum age for social media use. This policy was formally presented following her annual address to the EU and has been anticipated for some time.
Some EU countries, including France and Spain, have already initiated independent measures to regulate social media for younger audiences. Should a unified EU-wide policy be enacted, it would take precedence over national regulations, although individual countries could implement stricter measures if desired. The specific social media platforms impacted by these new regulations remain unspecified, although von der Leyen noted that insights were drawn from Australia’s approach to similar restrictions, which banned platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok for users under 16 last December.
However, enforcing these bans has proven challenging in Australia, with Communications Minister Anika Wells recently acknowledging that, to date, no tech companies have faced penalties, despite evidence indicating that many under-16s continue to access these platforms. A comparable ban for those under 16 is anticipated to be enforced in the UK by next spring.
