New age plan for children on social media in the EU

The European Union is preparing new rules for children's use of social media. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced during her annual "State of the Union" address at the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg that the Commission aims to introduce age-based gradual restrictions on social media access as part of the "EU Children's Act."

Von der Leyen stated that they have formed a special expert panel to evaluate the effects of social media on children and are examining practices in countries such as Australia. Noting that it is time for Europe to take action on this issue, von der Leyen expressed that the approach will be shaped by taking into account the different needs of each age group.

According to the plan, children under the age of 13 will not be allowed to use social media. For those under 15, there will be no option to open personal accounts. Children in the 13-15 age group will only be able to access platforms through "mini accounts" created and supervised by their parents or guardians, which will have limited features.

Von der Leyen stated that daily usage time for these "mini accounts" will be limited to one hour. For users in the 15-18 age range, it is planned to introduce a "safe design" requirement for platforms.

"Platforms will now have to prove to us that they are safe, because the issue is not our children's access to social media, but when and how we will allow social media to access our children."

The "Special Expert Panel on Children's Online Safety" authorized by the EU Commission had also previously recommended the introduction of a harmonized age limit across the EU for children under 13 to access platforms defined as "social media plus."

News Source: 12punto