European Commission shifts social media regulation strategy for minors

The European Commission is shifting its strategy regarding the regulation of social media for minors. Instead of implementing strict, blanket age limits that could conflict with fundamental rights, the Commission plans to introduce a more flexible model. This new approach, expected to be presented by Ursula von der Leyen, will prioritize parental consent and combat addictive algorithms.

This policy shift follows a decision by the French Constitutional Council to block an initiative by President Emmanuel Macron that sought to ban social media for children under 15. The court ruled that such a broad ban disproportionately interfered with the freedom of expression and communication of young people.

European Parliament member Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová noted that the French ruling highlights the need for precise regulation rather than broad prohibitions. She emphasized that while parental consent is a key component of the new proposal for children under 13, the responsibility should not rest solely on families, as social media platforms are specifically designed to maximize user engagement.