EU announces plan to restrict social media access for under-15s

The EU has announced plans to restrict social media access for under-15s across its member states in a bid to increase wellbeing and tackle online safety. Under the plans, there would be a gradual approach to children using social media which would include banning under-13s from accessing platforms. Those aged 13 to 15 would only be able to access platforms for an hour per day via “mini accounts” set up through their parent’s or guardian’s social media account. The European Commission said social media companies would need to prove platforms were safe by design or face fines of up to 6% of their global sales. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said the move would “put parents back in the driving seat”. She added the legislation – called the EU Kids Act – would give parents “the tools to help their children navigate a safer world”. The restrictions would not just affect well-known apps such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat but also YouTube and other video sharing platforms as well as AI chatbots and online games. “Too many children are being exposed too early to an online world they are not ready to navigate – an environment where bullying can follow you home, where every mistake can be recorded forever,” von der Leyen said. Under the act, only children aged 15 and over would be able to set up their own social media accounts. But von der Leyen told the EU Parliament on Thursday that “an age limit does not mean letting tech companies off the hook for the content on the platform”. She added that under the legislation – if it is approved – companies would be required to submit detailed child safety plans. “For every person under 18, the platforms must follow the principle of safety by design, no toxic or addictive features, no traps, etc,” she said. Some individual EU countries have already announced their own plans to restrict social media for children, including France and Spain. The proposed EU-wide legislation would supersede those, and member states will not be able to opt out from what would be a legally binding regulation. It is understood the Commission has warned some member states they would need to repeal any national laws passed before the EU Kids Act comes into effect. Source: Citi Newsroom