EU Proposes Ban on Under-13s from Social Media

The European Union is taking steps to protect young users from the potential negative effects of excessive social media use. The proposed ban on children under 13 from using social media aims to address concerns around declining mental health and socio-emotional development.

A recent report by child psychologist Dr. Jörg M. Fegert and epidemiologist Dr. Maria Melchior found that EU children spend up to six hours per day on social media, with almost 60% experiencing socio-emotional development and susceptibility to mental health issues. The report recommended that the EU restrict social media access for kids under 13 unless supervised by a parent or teacher.

The EU's proposal would give age restrictions the force of law, and could impact popular platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said the ban is not about restricting children's access to social media, but about ensuring that social media companies do not access children without proper safeguards.

The move is part of a growing trend of countries around the world taking steps to limit access to social media for children and teenagers. Australia, for example, has already banned children under 16 from social media, and the UK is considering a similar move.

The EU's proposal is still in the early stages, and it remains to be seen how it will be implemented. However, it is clear that the European Union is taking a proactive approach to protecting young users from the potential risks of social media.