Several European countries are already working on their own restrictions. The Netherlands and Spain want to prevent diverging national rules. They advocate for a harmonized approach at the European level, where an age limit can also be effectively enforced.
New steps are also expected from Brussels. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will come forward next week with proposals to better protect children from online risks. An advisory committee of the Commission has recommended banning independent use of social media under the age of thirteen.
Addictive
At the same time, the European Parliament is handling a report on the influence of social media and the online environment on young people. Rapporteur Sandro Ruotolo will explain the dossier on Tuesday in Strasbourg. The Parliament wants providers and platforms to do more to protect children and young people online.
Promotion
The concerns go beyond just the age at which children may use social media. Mentioned are harmful content, addictive design, and techniques that keep young people online longer. Video platforms like TikTok, online games, and AI services are also involved in various proposals.
EU age app
A European age limit requires reliable verification. The European Commission has already pointed out to Meta that children under thirteen can easily bypass the existing limit by entering an incorrect date of birth when registering. Meta itself says it is investing in better controls. The Commission meanwhile has also introduced its own software for age verification.
ICT technicians from the European Commission developed earlier this year an app that can verify users’ ages on mobile phones. Users must prove and register their age once with a copy of their passport or another official document. This removes the initial objections from providers that the age limit could not be verified.
Tech companies
An age limit is furthermore not considered sufficient. The Netherlands and Spain want additional measures against harmful and addictive applications. The European Parliament also focuses on techniques such as automatically played videos, endless scrolling, and features of online games that may entice children to spend money.
This also places more responsibility on the large American technology companies. Platforms must organize their services so that children are less exposed to harmful content and manipulative techniques. The exact European regulation is therefore not yet fixed.