EU Parliament Calls for Age 16 Minimum for Social Media, AI Use
The European Parliament has voted in favor of new rules regarding children’s access to online platforms. On Wednesday, in Strasbourg, Members of Parliament (MPs) overwhelmingly supported a proposal to set a minimum age of 16 for using social media, video platforms, and interacting wiht AI companions. The rules would completely prohibit use by children under the age of 13, even with parental consent.
This decision reflects growing concerns about the potential risks young peopel face online, including exposure to harmful content, data privacy issues, and the impact on mental health.The Parliament is pushing for stronger protections for children in the digital world.
In addition to the age restrictions, the Parliament is encouraging the European Commission to develop effective digital solutions for verifying users’ ages. This is a key challenge, as accurately confirming age online can be difficult. The goal is to ensure these platforms are used responsibly and safely by age-appropriate users.
These proposed regulations are part of a broader effort to update digital safety rules within the European Union. Further discussions and approvals are needed before these rules become law, but the Parliament’s vote represents a critically important step towards greater online protection for children.
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