The European Union wants to establish “progressive and gradual” access for minors to social networks

The bloc has been considering for months the possibility of establishing a “digital majority” at the community level, similar to the one adopted by Australia last year.

“Childhood is an extraordinary and delicate period for brain development (…) We must consider progressive and gradual access for different ages” to social networks and other digital platforms that present risks for minors, said the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

“It’s not about whether kids can access social media, it’s about if and when social media can access our kids.”, he stated.

The head of the Commission specified that she would present a legislative proposal “after the summer.”

To advise on this matter, Von der Leyen commissioned a panel of experts made up of doctors, academics, youth representatives and parents to prepare a report, whose recommendations were presented this Monday.

Among them, stand out:

– Zero screens for babies and toddlers

– Prohibit access by minors under 13 years of age to social networks and other digital services, including artificial intelligence assistants, except for limited periods under the supervision of a parent or in an educational environment

– A “progressively autonomous use” for young people between 13 and 18 years of age of digital platforms that have “key security elements”, such as an effective age verification system and a design free of addictive functions

– EU countries would be free to establish access bans at national level beyond the age of 13

– At the age of 18, Europeans would reach their “full digital majority”

Platforms “must demonstrate that their services do not cause harm. In Europe, whoever develops a product is responsible for its safety,” said Von der Leyen.

“An entire ecosystem around children has to change. But we have no time to waste. Children and teens face serious risks right now“said Jorg Fegert, one of the panel’s co-chairs, standing next to the president.

In recent months, the EU has stepped up pressure on social media platforms to take into account the physical and mental well-being of users.

Brussels on Friday ordered Facebook and Instagram to modify their “addictive” features, or face a hefty fine, following a similar warning to TikTok in February.

A growing number of EU Member States – France, Spain, Greece, Denmark, Austria and Sweden – have been adopting or considering restrictions on access to social networks for minors.

However, the issue generates controversy in the bloc, with countries like Estonia opposing the bans, while others have not commented.

Implementing measures of this type at the community level would avoid settling into a mix of national rules, while at the same time it would be easier to apply to platforms, whose regulation is already largely the responsibility of Brussels, in coordination with the 27.

Von der Leyen said the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, will “very carefully examine” the national proposals.

The bloc will “integrate” that work, he assured, and then will draw up its own proposal to “harmonize the approach and find a common solution.”

These announcements were called a “victory” by organizations defending the digital rights of youth.

“It is no longer children and parents who must manage the risks posed by platforms, but platforms that must be safe and age-appropriate before they can be accessible to minors,” said Leanda Barrington-Leach, director of the 5Rights foundation.

Other entities, however, have been more critical, considering that these proposals could seriously hinder the rights of all Internet users.

“Everyone would be suspected of being a minor and, unless they can prove otherwise, they would be seriously limited in the exercise of their fundamental freedoms,” warned Simeon De Brouwer, of the NGO European Digital Rights, who fears an “era of mass age verification.”

The European Union already has a reinforced arsenal to control technology giants and protect digital users, but Brussels reported that it is preparing more regulations.

The EU’s consumer protection chief, Commissioner Michael McGrath, promised that a new law, due later this year, will offer children stronger protection against addictive designs.