Access prohibited for those under 13, use under parental supervision between 13 and 15 years of age, independent account at 15 years of age. These are the steps envisaged by theEU Kids Act adopted by the European Commission for strengthen the safety of minors onlineThe text also introduces the principle of reversing the burden of proof, meaning that providers will have to demonstrate that their services are age-appropriate and safe by default.
Kids Act: Here are the new rules for social media and minors.
Three steps are planned, based on age: girls and boys will be able to create their ownSocial media accounts only from 15 years oldof age. In the two preceding years there will be rules to follow. The proposal approved in Strasbourg provides that between 13 and 15 years (not completed) minors are subjected to parental control, through "mini accounts" created by guardians that minors can access through the guardian's account. This would allow them to use age-appropriate social media and video-sharing platforms. These accounts should also include safeguards such as limited social contact and a maximum usage time of one hour per day.
Walking down the ban comes into force for children under 13Until that age, children will not be able to access social media. Instead, it is the use of video sharing services is permitted Specifically designed for children through parent-managed accounts. Platforms should provide a simple tool to limit the use of the adult's device, when entrusted to the child, to such services and to limit exposure to a maximum of one hour per day.
The burden of proof reversed
The proposal approved by the EU also introduces a new principle, namely the reversal of the burden of proofFor very large online platforms, providers will have to demonstrate that their services are “safe by design”, i.e. safe by design and appropriate for the age of the users.
Platforms are designed to capture attention. Algorithms learn from our behaviors and exploit them to make us click, react, and keep scrolling. And too often, these addictive characteristics they are the real business model", explained the president of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen presenting the measure
Precisely to limit the risks, or at least try to do so, the EU Kids Act provides obligations for online services that offer social media, video sharing, online video games, AI assistants and chatbots to users under the age of 18. The measure prohibits addictive features and profiling-based recommendation feeds that can lead minors to harmful content, in addition to infinite scrolling without breakpoints, reward mechanisms, and push notifications during sleep. Unsolicited contact from strangers is also prohibited.
And again: the profiles of minors should be private by default, with geolocation, camera, and microphone disabled. Services should also offer simple tools to block and mute other users, time management tools and safe recommendation systems that minors can control, modify, and reset.
Von der Leyen: "Children exposed to the online world too early"
"Ninety-two percent of Europeans believe that online protection for children and young people should be strengthened, and approximately 70% say they are concerned about cyberbullying, harassment, and grooming," explained European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a press conference presenting the EU Kids Act. "Analyzing the figures," she added, "another surprising fact emerges: in Europe, young people spend an average of four to six hours a day in front of a screen. For those who started using social media before the age of ten, the duration is even longer: they spend about seven to eight hours online a day, a period of time that is almost equivalent to a full working day for an adult." Too many children are exposed too early to the online world.”
