Brussels Considers Social Media Ban for Youth

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has indicated that Brussels might pursue a total ban on social media access for young people by summer. This proposal surfaced during her remarks at the European Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Children held in Copenhagen.

Von der Leyen mentioned that plans aimed at prohibiting children’s access to social media could be submitted in the near future. “Technology is evolving rapidly and is deeply integrated into childhood and adolescence,” she remarked, reflecting on the pervasive nature of tech in young lives.

“We all recognize that significant change doesn’t happen overnight. If we hesitate, the next generation will bear the consequences,” she added. A German politician suggested leveraging the EU’s digital COVID pass as the foundation for age verification processes on social media platforms. Previously, EU lawmakers endorsed this app as a framework for an upcoming digital identity wallet set to be launched later this year.

However, some member states have voiced concerns about using the same system for age verification, mainly due to privacy issues linked to the app. Alternatively, France might implement a model demanding social media companies like TikTok and Instagram to verify the age of users under 15 independently.

While the precise age at which the commission aims to restrict social media access is not clear, it is worth noting that countries like Australia and Indonesia have recently imposed restrictions on children under 16. The EU’s governing body has already established an expert committee to investigate the impact of social media on children, looking into issues such as addiction and anxiety, along with potential preventative measures.

“We may need to think about delaying social media access without rushing to any conclusions. Depending on the insights we gain, we could propose legislation this summer,” von der Leyen stated. In addition to contemplating restrictions for minors, Brussels has activated its digital services law to evaluate whether platforms like Instagram and Snapchat are effectively safeguarding children.

Social media companies failing to comply with these regulations could face fines amounting to 6% of their global annual revenue, with potential bans from the EU if violations persist.