A New Era for Kids Online: EU Crackdown on Social Media Platforms
Multiple EU nations advocate for the prohibition of online platforms targeted at minors, including TikTok and Instagram. - Multiple EU Nations Propose Banning Internet Platforms for Minors: Aiming to Protect Child Safety in Digital Spaces
Welcome to the new age of internet safety! The European Union (EU) is taking a stand against inappropriate content on popular social media platforms that children have easy access to, such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Here's the scoop on what's happening!
In theory, age restrictions apply to online networks, but, unfortunately, it's as simple as changing your birth date to bypass the rules. According to French Digital Minister Clara Chappaz in Luxembourg, youngsters as young as seven or eight often create accounts on these platforms - which needs to change!
Recently, France has pushed for platforms to obtain parental consent for underage users. But the legislation, passed in 2023, still requires approval from Brussels. The demand for action hasn't stopped there, as Greece, Denmark, Spain, Slovenia, and Cyprus have joined the chorus.
They're concerned about the potential risks for children online, ranging from hate speech and bullying to extreme diet tips and explicit content, as well as addiction issues. Excessive screen time can worsen anxiety disorders, depression, and hamper critical thinking abilities, according to the concerned EU nations.
A secure age verification system remains elusive, hindered by data protection issues. The EU Commission is developing a mobile app to solve this problem temporarily, scheduled for release in July 2025. This app will securely manage personal data and provide a yes/no answer on the user's age to platforms.
In the future, EU citizens might be able to download a digital ID on their smartphones, which could store age information and automatically block adult-only apps.
The EU Commission is already investigating several platforms, including TikTok, Meta (Facebook's parent company), and adult content providers Youporn, Stripchat, XVideos, and XNXX, for deficiencies in protecting children and young adults. If the allegations from Brussels are confirmed, these companies face hefty fines.
Remember, online safety matters, and it's vital for us all to work together to ensure a brighter, safer future for our children!
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In light of the EU's crackdown on social media platforms, the EU Commission has also adopted a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation in the tech sector. This includes those working for companies like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, as creating and distributing child-appropriate content requires constant adherence to policy-and-legislation and maintaining a responsible online environment. The increasingly influential role of social media in entertainment and general-news necessitates a more proactive approach to safeguarding children both online and offline from risks such as hate speech, bullying, and explicit content, as supported by various EU nations like France, Greece, Denmark, Spain, Slovenia, and Cyprus. Meanwhile, the EU Commission is investigating tech companies for deficiencies in protecting children, recognizing that online safety cannot be achieved without addressing the complexities of technology, politics, and policy-and-legislation.
