The European Commission has announced plans to restrict social media access for children under 13, following a expert report highlighting severe mental health risks for young users. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated in a press conference that age-appropriate restrictions are needed, emphasizing that the issue is not whether children can access social media but whether social media can access our children.
Four to six hours daily on TikTok and Instagram
The report, authored by child psychologist Jörg M. Fegert and epidemiologist Maria Melchior, reveals alarming statistics. European children now spend between four and six hours per day on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Nearly 60 percent of them have experienced socio-emotional development issues and increased susceptibility to mental health problems, resulting in sleep and concentration difficulties, and higher rates of depression and anxiety. The study recommends a complete ban for children under 13 unless supervised by a parent or teacher.
Sponsored Protocol
Gradual access for teenagers aged 13 to 18
For the 13-18 age group, the report suggests access only to platforms with safety features such as limits on infinite scrolling and content filters. Additionally, it recommends no screen exposure for children under three. The European Commission will now review the proposals and present a legislative bill after the summer. The process will require negotiations with all 27 member states, which could take time, but represents the largest ever effort to protect minors online.
International precedents and criticisms
Australia was the first country to ban social media for under 16s, while Florida enacted a ban for under 14s without parental consent in 2024. France, Germany, and Spain are also considering similar measures. However, critics point out that children can easily bypass the bans by lying about their age or using fake accounts. The Australian government recently doubled the maximum penalty for non-compliant companies to 99 million Australian dollars (about 68 million USD). Despite enforcement challenges, the new report could be a tipping point. As von der Leyen stated, the more we learn about the impact on children, the stronger the argument becomes for a social media start date.
Sponsored Protocol
For further context, see the lawsuit filed by 12 US states to block the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, another example of regulatory intervention in the tech industry. For more on social media effects on children, consult the Wikipedia page.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2213336/europe-takes-step-toward-social-media-ban-for-kids
