The European Parliament has proposed a resolution to implement an EU-wide ban on access to certain online platforms for children under16

The European Parliament has just advanced a significant non-binding resolution that calls for stricter age limits on social media and AI tools in a bid to protect the innocence of minors. 

The move aligns with similar efforts in the UK and Australia, and reflects a global trend toward regulating youth access to digital platforms. 

The resolution passed with strong support 

The resolution was approved on Wednesday by the European Parliament and had 483 votes in favor, 92 against, and 86 abstentions, highlighting the confluence of opinions on the subject. 

The non-binding resolution calls for a default minimum age of 16 to access social media and AI chatbots to ensure “age-appropriate online engagement”.

Online platforms, which are regulated under the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), are required to comply with national laws, so every country has the right to decide on minimum age requirements.

A statement published on the European Parliament’s website claims lawmakers support age 16 as the minimum age required to access social media, video-sharing platforms, and AI companions. However, 13- to 16-year-olds can still access it with parental consent.

They also demanded a harmonized European digital age limit of 13, under which no minor could access social media platforms, video-sharing services, and AI companions.

For now, the resolution is non-binding, legally or otherwise, and is being treated as a political statement expressing Parliament’s position on the issue. For it to be binding in any way, legislation would require formal proposals from the European Commission, as well as negotiations between EU member states and Parliament in a process that could take years to finalize. 

The resolution also comes with measures like a ban on addictive features designed to keep children hooked to screens, manipulative advertising, and gambling-like elements. Websites and apps that refuse to follow the mandate can expect to be outrightly blocked. 

Countries are banning social media for minors 

Minors getting exploited on social media has been one of the most unpleasant effects of social media. However, some countries have taken a stand and are working on measures that will protect minors, like the EU’s recent proposal.

Recent reports now claim some countries, including Malaysia and Australia, are moving at a faster pace as they move to protect their minors on social media. 

According to an announcement made on Sunday, November 23, by Fahmi Fadzil, Malaysia’s communications minister, as part of an effort to protect kids from online harm such as cyberbullying and sexual abuse, Malaysia will ban people 16 years and younger from using social media in 2026. 

“I believe that if the government, regulatory bodies, and parents all play their roles, we can ensure that the Internet in Malaysia is not only fast, widespread and affordable but most importantly, safe, especially for children and families,” Fadzil said.

He also claims digital platforms are required to institute customer identity verification by next year.

“We hope by next year that social media platforms will comply with the government’s decision to bar those under the age of 16 from opening user accounts,” Fadzil said, according to Reuters and The Star.

The minister has also said that his government will keep an eye on Australia’s implementation of a similar age limit for social media users, which is expected to start this December. 

“Other countries may have their own approaches, and we will study them,” he said.

In Australia, the legislation to regulate minors interacting with social media will be introduced in Parliament during its last two weeks in session this year, which began on November 18. However, the age limit will not come into effect until 12 months after the law is passed, and it will be reviewed following its commencement.

“This one’s for the mums and dads,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said as he announced the legislation. “Social media is doing harm to our kids. And I’m calling time on it. I’ve spoken to thousands of parents, grandparents, aunties, and uncles. They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our kids online. And I want Australian parents and families to know that the government has your back. I want parents to be able to say, ‘Sorry mate, that’s against the law for me to get you to do this.’ “

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