MEPs call for uniform age limits for social media and AI chatbots
MEPs call for uniform age limits for social media and AI chatbots
The European Parliament is sending a clear political signal: In a new – legally non-binding – resolution, MEPs are in favour of an EU-wide uniform minimum age to be allowed to use social media platforms, video portals and AI chatbots.
The proposal stipulates that digital services should only be freely accessible from the age of 16. Young people between the ages of 13 and 16 should only be allowed to use these offers with the express consent of their parents. Under the age of 13, any use of digital communication platforms and AI assistants would be completely prohibited.
Why this initiative?
Although the Digital Services Act (DSA) already regulates the responsibility of large platforms, age limits have so far been decided by the individual EU member states themselves. This leads to a patchwork of different rules, which the EU parliamentarians now want to replace with a common line.
The main focus is on:
- Protection against manipulative designs that specifically target addictive mechanisms
- Restrictions on manipulative advertising to minors
- Bans on gambling-like elements in apps
- Measures against AI tools that distribute inappropriate or artificially generated content
- Blocking websiteswho do not comply
Legal situation: Nothing has been decided yet
The resolution is a political statement – it has no direct legal force. In order for such rules to become binding, the European Commission would have to present a draft law. This would be followed by long negotiations between EU states and Parliament. Experience has shown that this takes several years.
Background & Current Incidents
In the past, large platforms have been criticized several times.
TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) have been investigated for alleged violations of the DSA – including data risks for minors, non-transparent algorithms and inadequate moderation of content harmful to minors.
TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) have been investigated for alleged violations of the DSA – including data risks for minors, non-transparent algorithms and inadequate moderation of content harmful to minors.
European consumer advocates have also been warning for years about:
- algorithmic recommendation systems that pull children into dependency cycles AI
- chatbots that create personality profiles or simulate emotional ties
- Lack of transparency about which data minors disclose
MEPs are therefore using the resolution to put pressure on the Commission and the member states and to put digital youth protection on a new, uniform basis.
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Author: MF editorial team
Source: REUTERS
Image: AI- generated
What is your opinion on the topic of minimum age on social media?
Write us your opinion on facebook here
Author: MF editorial team
Source: REUTERS
Image: AI- generated
