European parliament – Children should be at least 16 to access social media
15 days ago
- #digital regulation
- #EU policy
- #child protection
- MEPs propose a minimum age of 16 for accessing social media, with parental consent for ages 13-16.
- Concerns raised over mental and physical health risks for minors online, with 25% showing problematic smartphone use.
- Calls for stricter enforcement of EU digital rules, including fines and bans for non-compliant platforms.
- Bans suggested on engagement-based recommender algorithms and loot boxes in games.
- Urgent action needed on generative AI tools like deepfakes and nudity apps.
- Support for an EU age verification app and digital identity wallet, ensuring privacy for minors.
- Proposal to hold senior managers personally liable for serious non-compliance with digital protection laws.
- Ban on harmful addictive practices online, such as infinite scrolling and auto-play for minors.
- Protection against commercial exploitation of minors, including kidfluencing.
- Over 90% of Europeans believe urgent action is needed to protect children online.