The European Union is set to impose strict restrictions on the use of social media, certain gaming platforms and AI chatbots by children under 15 without parental supervision. This ban will be detailed in the Children's Law, which is expected to be published on Thursday, according to the Financial Times.
See also: Social Media for Children: New Restrictions in the EU
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyensaid in a recent speech that “no social media use will be allowed under the age of 13, and no personal account will be allowed under the age of 15.” Von der Leyen stressed that Europe has the power to set the rules, not big tech companies. Under the draft proposal seen by the FT, children under 13 would only be allowed access with parental supervision, while children between the ages of 13 and 15 would need parental consent to create accounts with parental controls and other restrictions, such as time limits.
The decision comes at a time when concerns about children's safety online are growing. Social media platforms and gaming services have been accused of promoting addictive behaviour and exposing children to inappropriate content. The European Union, with this initiative, seeks to protect children from the negative effects of uncontrolled internet use.
Social media companies, online gaming services and AI chatbots will be required to introduce safeguards to protect children from abuse and addictive behavior. Companies offering AI conversational services and chatbots will be required to avoid designs that encourage unhealthy emotional attachments or expose children to harmful interactions.
This means that companies will need to review their strategies and adapt their products to comply with the new regulations.
See also: UK: Social Media ban coming for children under 16
One of the most critical elements of the new legislation is the obligation for companies to verify the age of users with an official age verification application. This process will require companies to develop reliable verification systems that can ensure that users are indeed of the permitted age. Failure to comply with the rules could result in fines of up to 6% of companies’ global annual revenue, which underlines the seriousness with which the European Union is taking the issue.
This move by the European Union reflects a broader trend towards tighter regulation of technology and its use by minors. Parents and guardians will now have greater control and responsibility for their children's digital lives, while companies will have to adjust their policies to comply with the new regulations.
Furthermore, this legislation can serve as a model for other countries wishing to protect their children from the dangers of the internet. By enforcing these regulations, the European Union is showing that it is determined to lead in the field of digital safety and the protection of minors.
The implementation of these measures is expected to have significant consequences for technology companies, which will have to invest in new technologies and processes to comply with the regulations. At the same time, users will have to adapt to a new environment where access to digital services will be more controlled and safe for children.
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Overall, this European Union initiative is an important step towards protecting children in the digital environment, laying the foundations for a safer and more responsible internet.
