EU proposes social media ban for children under 13 years

Digital Desk | Brussels, Sep 17 (IANS) The European Commission on Thursday proposed new EU-wide restrictions on children's access to social media, including a ban for those under 13 and a minimum age of 15 for minors to open their own accounts. Under the proposed EU KIDS Act, children under 13 would be barred from social media, and children aged between 13 and 15 would only be allowed to use limited social media accounts set up through a parent or guardian's account. Such accounts would include restrictions on social contacts and screen time of up to one hour per day. The proposal would also require social media platforms, video-sharing services, online video games, AI companions and chatbots used by minors to be "safe by design." Addictive features, including infinite scrolling, certain reward mechanisms and push notifications during sleeping hours, would be restricted. Profiles of minors would have to be private by default, with geolocation, camera and microphone access switched off, Xinhua News Agency reported. AI companions and chatbots would also be disabled by default for minors and prohibited from simulating interpersonal relationships in ways that could create emotional dependency. The proposal requires online services and app stores to introduce age-assurance mechanisms. The Commission said its EU age-verification app could be used without retaining identity documents or biometric data. The act would also reverse the burden of proof for very large online platforms, requiring providers to demonstrate that their services are safe for children. They would have to submit compliance plans for independent auditing before introducing relevant services or features. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the proposal was intended to put parents "back in the driving seat" and require platforms to prove their services are safe by design. The proposal has been submitted to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU for consideration and approval. Enforcement would build on existing mechanisms under the Digital Services Act and the Artificial Intelligence Act, with fines for violations potentially reaching 6 per cent of a company's total worldwide annual turnover.