EU and Taiwan push for safer online environments for children

The European Union’s Special Committee on Online Child Safety released a report on July 13 urging platforms to redesign harmful features rather than imposing blanket bans on teenage social‑media use. The experts stress that age‑appropriate design, transparent algorithms, and stronger enforcement of existing regulations such as the GDPR, Digital Services Act and upcoming AI legislation are needed to protect children’s rights online. They also note that outright bans for users over 13 are ineffective and call for continuous evaluation of any national restrictions.

In Taiwan, authorities and educators are emphasizing comprehensive child‑online‑safety education. Parents are advised to use built‑in parental‑control tools, limit screen time, and teach children to recognize phishing, scams, and deep‑fake content generated by AI. The guidance highlights the importance of open communication between children and adults, and warns against cyberbullying, data‑privacy risks, and excessive screen exposure. Both regions stress that technology companies share responsibility for creating safer digital spaces for minors.