EU member states back minimum age for social media access

BRUSSELS: European Union leaders have spoken out in favour of introducing age limits for access to social media platforms, but have made it clear they do not intend to hand over their national competences on the issue to Brussels, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.

“The European Council stresses the importance of protecting minors, including through a digital age of majority for accessing social media, respecting national competences,” a statement adopted at an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday read.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently gave new momentum to the debate with her call for an EU-wide minimum age for using social media.

A group of experts is to present recommendations on the best way forward by the end of the year.

More can and must be done to better protect children online, a commission spokesman said.

Von der Leyen has compared possible age limits for social media to restrictions on tobacco and alcohol consumption.

She also pointed to Australia, where parliament passed legislation in November 2024 restricting access to social media for children and teenagers.

Under the new rules, only users aged 16 and over will be allowed to access the platforms. The measure is set to take effect in December.

The European Commission is already working on the technical foundations for age restrictions.

It is developing a verification app aimed at protecting minors online. The goal is to create reliable age verification systems for content not suitable for minors.

–BERNAMA-dpa

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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