European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that Brussels intends to put forward a legislative proposal after the summer, based on the recommendations of an expert committee that called for the adoption of a gradual system linking the use of social media platforms to the age of the user.
According to the proposal, children under 13 years of age are prohibited from using social media platforms except under the supervision of a parent or caregiver, while those over this age will be allowed gradual access to platforms that meet safety standards and protect minors. The proposal also includes restrictions on features such as infinite scrolling and automatic playback of content, in addition to developing a European age verification system while preserving user privacy.
This step comes in light of growing European concerns about the psychological and behavioral effects of children’s use of social media, while several countries, including France and Greece, are moving to tighten restrictions on minors’ access to these platforms, as part of a broader trend to enhance children’s protection on the Internet.
