EU Proposes Major Digital Curbs for Under-15s
The European Union is preparing a wide-ranging legislative proposal. This plan restricts individuals under 15 years old from social media platforms, video-sharing services, artificial intelligence chatbots, and online games. This represents the most extensive regulatory effort to date for minors in the digital sphere, according to a European Commission document seen by Reuters.
Global concerns have intensified regarding the impact of major digital outlets on children's health and safety. These platforms include Meta's Facebook and Instagram, TikTok, Google's YouTube, and ChatGPT. The proposed legislation seeks to mitigate risks from extensive digital engagement among young people.
And the EU proposal forms part of a broader legislative effort, the EU Kids Act. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen are scheduled to formally present this act. Ms von der Leyen may provide initial details within her State of the Union address. The objective is to balance digital service benefits for minors with safeguards against abuse.
The Commission's internal document outlines this philosophy. It states the Union's approach should enable minors to gain from digital services' potential, whilst ensuring protection from misuse. The document asserts a need to restrict tech companies' offerings to children, rather than placing the onus on children to avoid them. This signals a shift towards greater corporate responsibility.
But the Commission's proposal also covers video gaming platforms. It plans phased access to various services, with access granted by age group. Obligations placed upon companies will vary by service nature and children's age range. This gradual introduction aims for age-appropriate digital experiences.
The European Commission has declined to comment on the specifics. However, the document specifies that digital service companies will be required to contribute financially. And this includes paying a supervisory fee, allocated to fund regulators' enforcement and oversight within the new framework. This fee system supports the regulatory apparatus.
So the proposal outlines distinct access tiers. Children aged 15 and above may establish their own accounts. Those between 13 and 14 can request parental assistance to open introductory accounts on social media and video-sharing platforms, operating under parental control. These accounts incorporate limitations on contacts and strict time usage.
Younger children, aged 3 to 12, would have accounts entirely controlled by parents. Such accounts would be restricted to child-friendly services only, requiring adherence to stringent safety standards. Children under the age of 3 would be denied any access to these digital services. This tiered system aligns access with developmental stages.
The precise details of these regulations may be altered prior to official announcement. The Commission must engage with EU member countries and the European Parliament to finalise draft legislation over the coming months. But this collaborative process is necessary before the proposal becomes legally binding.
The draft document sets forth various requirements for digital companies. These mandates include preventing addictive designs within platforms and avoiding harmful feeds. Companies must also furnish tools enabling children to readily report undesirable content. Effective parental control mechanisms are another key requirement.
And social media and video-sharing platforms will face an obligation to verify children's age when new accounts are created. Similarly, online games platforms will need to implement age verification before users can download games. Many Big Tech companies already enforce a minimum age of 13. These new rules suggest a more rigorous, uniform approach.
The EU proposal targets social media, video-sharing platforms, AI chatbots, and online games.
Age-tiered access means under-3s have no access, 3-12s have parental control, 13-14s have limited parental-controlled accounts, and 15s can set up their own.
Companies must pay a supervisory fee, avoid addictive designs, prevent harmful feeds, and provide reporting and parental control tools.
Age verification will be mandatory for new accounts on social media, video-sharing, and before downloading online games.
Source: Reuters
