The European Commission has proposed the EU Kids Act, which aims to impose strict regulations on tech companies regarding the use of their platforms by minors. Key aspects include:
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Social Media Ban for Under-13s: Children under 13 would not be allowed on social media. Teens aged 13-15 could use age-appropriate platforms under parental supervision, with time limits on usage.
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Age Verification: Companies like Meta and Google must implement age verification systems for new accounts and existing logins, demonstrating that their services are designed to be safe for minors.
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Safety by Design: Tech firms must prove their products are safe and avoid manipulative features like infinite scrolling that could encourage addictive behavior.
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Parental Controls and Restrictions: Enhanced parental controls and restrictions on functionalities like live-streaming will be mandated.
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Enforcement Measures: The EU plans to expedite investigations of violations, particularly for companies with substantial user bases, which must submit compliance plans for new services.
Despite its strengths, challenges remain, particularly around effective age verification and privacy concerns. Critics argue that tech-savvy users may circumvent restrictions, raising doubts about the law’s enforceability.
