EU Moves to Shield Children from Social Media with Tough New Age Rules
The European Union is stepping up its plans for tighter protection of children online with new proposals that would limit access to social media to children of different ages and the prospect of technology companies making their platforms safer for children.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the measures are not to ban children from having access to digital technology – but to protect them from harmful experiences.
It’s not about kids getting on social media, it’s about social media getting on our kids, she said.
The independent experts panel of doctors, child development experts, academics, youth representatives and parents suggested a gradual process on children’s access to digital content. The experts recommended that babies and toddlers should not have screens and that kids ages 3-12 should have screen time but supervised and age-appropriate digital platforms, and that social media media should be introduced gradually and safely from age 13.
Instead of the blanket ban, the panel recommended that the EU demand social media platforms take down, or restrict, features associated with excessive usage, such as autoplay, infinite scroll, and push notifications.
The European Commission will make a legal proposal later this year while member states’ discussions on the minimum age of access to social media are ongoing.
People who advocate for child safeguarding say the proposed changes acknowledge that for the Internet to be a safe place for children to play requires both access that is appropriate for children and a greater sense of responsibility among the technology companies on creating a safer Internet environment where children’s wellbeing is the top priority.
