EU to restrict minors from Social Media!
Social media
Brussels, July 13 (EFE).-
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday backed introducing a minimum age for children’s access to social media, endorsing a phased approach under which children under 13 would only be allowed to use such platforms with parental or guardian supervision.
Just as we do not give our children keys to the car before they have their licence or let them buy alcohol until they are legally allowed, we need to set the age at which they can legally access social media,” von der Leyen said in a statement.
The European Commission president received a report on Monday from a group of experts outlining measures the European Union could adopt to better protect minors online.
“I believe we need to consider phased and gradual access for different age ranges. Because childhood will not wait. And once it is gone, we cannot give it back,” she said.
The report recommends a gradual and harmonized approach across the bloc, which von der Leyen described as “convincing.”
She said children under the age of three should have no screen time at all and added that children under 13 should only be allowed to open social media accounts under the supervision of parents, guardians or teachers, with limited time spent on the platforms.
From the age of 13, access to social media should depend on whether platforms can demonstrate that they are safe and appropriate for teenagers, she said.
“The responsibility will lie in proving they are safe and appropriate for the age. Only then will the door open for a teenager to access social media after turning 13,” von der Leyen said.
She also stressed the need to distinguish between different types of online platforms when regulating minors’ access, assessing each according to the level of risk it poses to children and adolescents.
“The evidence shows that this is mainly social media platforms, but also other providers with age-inappropriate and addictive features. So think of it as social media plus.
“And when we have this clearly defined category, I believe we need to consider phased and gradual access for different age ranges. Because childhood will not wait. And once it is gone, we cannot give it back,” she said. EFE
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