Children under 13 years old should not have access to social networks, EU experts suggest. For Commission President von der Leyen, this would be a step in the right direction. But what follows from this?
According to the head of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, one thing must be recognized above all: “Social networks are not a toy,” but a very profitable but also dangerous product.
Car manufacturers must ensure the safety of their vehicles as such, says von der Leyen. “And we don’t expect kids to create their own safety seat belts. We also don’t expect parents to install airbags at home. And exactly the same product safety should apply to big tech companies.”
Experts recommend Access restriction
The four to six hours young people in Europe spend on social media on average every day is damaging brain and personality development, according to a group of experts who today presented the head of the Commission with a comprehensive book.
“Based on the available evidence, we therefore recommend a harmonized EU-wide introduction of restrictions on access to Social Media Plus for children under 13,” explains committee chairman, German researcher and youth psychiatrist Jörg Fegert.
Multi-level model possible
This means that TikTok, Instagram and the company must be accessible to children under 13 throughout the EU (if at all) only in the presence of the parent or other guardian who manages the account. Experts then recommend a graduated model. According to the principle: Platforms that can demonstrate that they have done enough to ensure the safety of children and young people can be allowed from 13 years of age. Others – from 15 or 16 years old.
All this must be accompanied by effective and safe age control. Experts point to the experience of Australia, where about six months after reaching the minimum social media age, it became clear that too many children were still able to circumvent the age limit.
National regulations may motivate platforms
The EU is better prepared, says von der Leyen: “Our age verification app is one of the tools that makes this possible. It’s user-friendly, compliant with data protection regulations and essentially puts some control back to parents.”
Because the question is not when children will have access to social media, but when social media will be allowed to reach children. This is why national rules are also important: in France, for example, social media for children under 15 will be banned from September.
Other EU states such as Greece, Denmark, Spain and Austria are planning something similar. “Restrictions on access in specific countries, including for those over 13 years of age, could even be an additional incentive for platforms to quickly develop offers that are safe from the start,” says expert Fegert.
“Change will take time”
After all, this would be the best solution. Until then, one thing is clear: the EU Commission must enforce age restrictions on technology platforms. Because only Brussels can impose new rules on them and, in case of doubt, impose fines.
That is why a ban on social networks in the EU makes a lot of sense, von der Leyen emphasizes. It is also clear: “This change will take time—like any cultural change. Just as it took time to ban drunk driving, it took time to introduce seat belts in cars.”
The minimum age for social media in Europe has “just” passed another milestone. In September, the head of the Commission will present his draft law, which will then be discussed by the EU Parliament and the Council of Member States.