What Happened
On Tuesday, February 13, 2024, the European Parliament voted 483-92-86 in favor of a non-binding resolution calling for stricter regulations regarding minors’ access to social media platforms. The proposal seeks to prohibit access for children under 13 and require parental consent for those aged 13 to 16 to use platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube European Parliament Press Release.
The resolution specifically targets social networks, video sharing platforms, and AI companions. It proposes a harmonized minimum digital age of 16 across the EU for accessing these services, with a pathway for 13- to 16-year-olds to gain access with parental consent. This aligns with ongoing efforts in Brussels to enhance digital safety for young people Reuters.
Key Provisions of the Resolution
- Age Verification: The Parliament supports the progress of a European age verification submission and the European digital identity (eID) wallet to accurately verify users’ ages while protecting their privacy.
- Parental Consent: For users between 13 and 16, parental consent woudl be required before access to social media platforms is granted.
- Platform Duty: Platforms are expected to ensure their products are safe and age-appropriate by design, even with age verification systems in place.
- Executive Liability: Senior managers could be held personally liable for serious non-compliance with regulations, especially regarding the protection of minors and age verification.
- Addictive Design: The resolution calls for banning addictive practices like endless scrolling, autoplay, and reward loops, and deactivating them by default.
- Compliance & Exclusion: Sites failing to comply with EU regulations could be excluded from the European network.
The European Parliament’s resolution reflects increasing anxieties about the potential harms of social media on children and adolescents. Research consistently links excessive social media use to increased rates of anxiety, depression, body image issues, and cyberbullying American Psychological Association. The addictive nature of these platforms, designed to maximize engagement, is also a notable concern.
A 2023 report by Common Sense Media found that teens spend an average of 9 hours per day using screen media, with a significant portion dedicated to social media. This level of exposure can displace vital activities like sleep, physical activity, and face-to-face interactions Common Sense Media.
| Age Group | Average Daily Screen Time (2023) |
|---|---|
| 8-
|