The European Commission unveiled a plan to establish stricter age limits on social media, targeting users under the age of 13. The initiative focuses on platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram to protect children from risks associated with online interactions.
This proposal responds to growing concerns about the impact of social media on children’s mental health and would amend the EU Kids Act to set clear boundaries in digital spaces similar to those in the physical world, according to Commission leadership. The plan also aims to give parents greater oversight of accounts for young users aged 13 to 15.
New Restrictions and Parental Controls
The proposed measures would apply to social media, video streaming services, online games, and chatbots targeting users under 18. They include banning addictive features like infinite scrolling and autoplay, as well as limiting algorithm-driven recommendations and personalized profiling. Platforms would also be required to prevent unsolicited contacts from strangers.
Major technology companies would need to improve age-verification systems for new accounts, implement child-safe design and algorithms, and offer parental control tools that are easy to use. Companies failing to comply could face fines of up to 6% of their global annual revenue and would be obligated to increase moderation and content supervision resources.
Concerns from Tech Industry Groups
Some technology companies and their representatives have expressed concerns about the proposal, highlighting potential privacy risks. The nonprofit organization CCIA Europe, which represents prominent tech firms including Google and Meta, warned that collecting extensive age, identity, and family link data could create targets for cybercrime and result in regulatory overlaps that might weaken protections for children and consumers.
Legislative Process Ahead
The initiative will be discussed among European Union member states and the European Parliament in the coming months before any regulations can be enacted. The plan follows similar laws pursued by countries including Australia, the United Kingdom, China, India, and Turkey.
