EU experts urge social media restrictions for kids under 13
An expert panel has recommended limiting access to social media for young children across the EU. The European Commission is expected to present a proposal
An expert panel has recommended limiting access to social media for young children across the EU. The European Commission is expected to present a proposal for legislation on the issue in the coming months. Access to social media should be allowed to under 13-year-olds only under the supervision of their carers or at school, according to a report presented in Brussels on Monday by a panel of experts advising the EU on online child protection. The recommendation came as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU's executive body would put forward legislative proposals regarding children's social media use after the summer. Social media bans: What it means for you To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video What were the panel's social media recommendations? The panel, which consisted of doctors, academics, youth representatives and parents, made a number of other recommendations in its report Babies and toddlers should be kept away from any screens Children between three and 12 should be allowed only supervised use of 'age-appropriate social media' and devices Teenagers between 13 and 18 should be allowed 'evolving autonomous use' of social media and other digital platforms that have 'key safety features' Children 'need time in the real world' — von der Leyen Speaking as the report was presented, von der Leyen, who commissioned the panel, called for "age-appropriate restrictions" implemented in a "phased and gradual" manner.
"Our children need time in the real world. Time to play, time to build friendships, time to make mistakes. Time to shape their own identity, their own personality, before an algorithm shapes them instead," von der Leyen told reporters in Brussels. "This is not about whether children can access social media. It is about whether and when social media can access our children," she said. Austria sends 70,000 kids on a three‑week smartphone detox To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Australia cited as model for social media age limits Although several members of the bloc, including Germany, have been mulling the introduction of age limits for social media, for these to be truly effective and legal, action would likely have to be taken at the EU level. This is because the bloc is in charge of enforcing rules on major online platforms and because any laws at a national level must be compatible with EU legislation.
The BriefWire