EU Announces Plan to Restrict Social Media Access for Under-15s

The European Union (EU) Commission has announced a new plan to restrict social media access for children under 15 years old across its member states. This initiative aims to enhance children's online well-being and ensure internet safety. Under the proposed plan, children under 13 will be completely banned from accessing platforms.

Highlights

• Children under 13 years old will be prohibited from accessing social media platforms.
• Those aged 13 to 15 will only be able to use social media for one hour per day via "mini accounts" set up through their parent or guardian's account.
• Children aged 15 and over will be permitted to create their own social media accounts.
• Social media companies will be required to prove their platforms are safe by design.
• EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that this move would "put parents back in the driving seat."

Details

This legislative proposal, dubbed the "EU Kids Act," introduces a gradual approach to children's social media usage. It envisions that young people aged 13 to 15 will have one-hour daily access through "mini accounts" under parental supervision. Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that the act would provide parents with the tools to help their children navigate a safer world.

This plan follows previous suggestions by Von der Leyen for a social media "delay" for children in Europe. She had stated that "the discussion about a minimum age for social media can no longer be ignored." Several individual EU countries, including France and Spain, had already announced their own separate plans to restrict social media for children.

Why it matters

This regulation is considered a significant step towards enhancing children's digital safety and mitigating the negative effects of excessive social media use. By offering parents greater control over their children's online experiences, it aims to contribute to a healthier digital environment for young people. It will also push social media platforms to take more responsibility regarding child safety.