The European Commission has unveiled details of plans to restrict children's access to social media and AI chatbots. The proposal aims to oblige platforms to show that they are made in a way that is safe for minors. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the technology was not created with children's well-being and development in mind.
Under the plans, children under 13 will be banned from social media, and those aged 13 will have access to social media under parental supervision. They will only be able to create a personal account once they turn 15. The proposal also includes new restrictions for providers of other online services, including social media features, video sharing platforms, online video games, and AI companions and chatbots.
The proposed safeguards include a ban on addictive features and profiling-based recommender feeds that can drag minors into 'rabbit holes' of harmful content. The proposal also prohibits infinite scroll, reward tricks, and push notifications during sleeping hours, as well as unsolicited contact from strangers. AI chatbots designed to provide emotional support will have to include safeguards to prevent children from developing an emotional dependency on the technology.
The European Parliament and EU countries will scrutinize and amend the proposal, which could take months or even years before an agreement on the final version of the law is reached. Currently, EU countries can impose restrictions on children's access to social media, but responsibility for ensuring compliance falls largely on parents. Requiring online giants to carry out age checks can only be imposed through EU legislation.
Ursula von der Leyen has campaigned for safer use of social media tools by children, citing evidence of the harm that social media does to a developing brain and personality. She stated that too many children are exposed too early to an online world they are not ready to navigate, which can lead to consequences such as sleep deprivation, depression, anxiety, and self-harm.
German Education Minister, Karin Prien, has backed plans to restrict social media use among children and teenagers, calling for effective age checks alongside greater media literacy and better information for parents. She announced plans for a German interim solution while EU-wide rules are being developed, with key points for German transitional legislation to be presented in October.
The German government plans to work closely with the European Commission to tighten laws protecting minors and close gaps in criminal law. The proposed EU legislation aims to provide a safer online environment for children, and its implementation will be closely monitored. The European Commission's proposal is a significant step towards protecting children's well-being and development in the online world.
Key points
- The European Commission proposes banning children under 13 from social media and imposing new restrictions on gaming sites and AI chatbots.
- Children aged 13 will have access to social media under parental supervision and can create a personal account at 15.
- The proposal includes safeguards such as a ban on addictive features and profiling-based recommender feeds.
