Restriction of Children's Access to Social Networks in the European Union

The European Union is drafting regulations to restrict children’s and teenagers’ access to social media. The move comes amid concerns about the impact of social media on children’s mental health and development, and could bring new rules on age verification and the safe design of digital services. The proposal will be presented after the end of the summer.

• The European Union intends to present a plan to limit children’s and teenagers’ access to social media.
• The plan could introduce new rules on age verification and the safe design of digital services.
• Citing concerns about the impact of social media on children’s mental health and development, the European Commission is drafting new regulations.
• Under experts’ proposal, children under 13 should not have access to social media unless tech companies can prove their services are safe for children.
• In recent months, the European Union has increased pressure on technology companies and has been examining features such as endless scrolling and autoplay video.
• Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said children should gain access to social media “gradually and step by step.”
• A separate group of experts recommended that children under 13 should use online platforms only under adult supervision.
• For some time, the European Union has been considering restrictions in this area after some member states, including Greece and France, called for limits on children’s access to social media.
• Pressure has also increased for a bloc-wide ban in the EU, similar to the one adopted in Australia.
• Australia became the first country last December to restrict access to social media for people under 16.
• The regulations could transform teenagers’ access to social media and require technology companies to make fundamental changes in how they provide services.. Coverage difference: Fars News Agency emphasized the details of the experts’ proposed plan and the features under review by the European Union, such as endless scrolling. Radio Farda referred to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and the requests of some member states such as Greece and France, and also mentioned the example of Australia. IRIB News Agency broadly referred to drafting strict regulations to protect children in the online space and to requiring tech giants to make fundamental changes.