European law to limit minors' access to social media in the EU
The European Commission has presented the EU KIDS Act, a legislative proposal that aims to strengthen the online protection and safety of minors across the European Union.
Among the key changes envisaged by the measure is a ban on social media platforms allowing access to minors under 13. The proposal also introduces a minimum age of 15 for opening a social media account independently, with the aim of encouraging a gradual and more attentive approach to the use of digital platforms by younger generations.
The EU KIDS Act requires platforms to demonstrate that their services are age-appropriate and designed with safety criteria in mind from the outset. The legislative proposal is based on four main pillars:
- delay in accessing social media
- safety by design
- age verification while respecting privacy
- effective enforcement of the rules.
The EU KIDS Act has now been transmitted to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union for the start of the legislative process that will lead to the discussion and possible approval of the text.
For young European citizens, the proposal represents a further step in the debate on digital safety, the conscious use of social media and the protection of the rights of minors in online spaces.