European officials propose social media restrictions for minors

European Parliament member Stefano Bonaccini has advocated for stricter regulations regarding social media use among minors. During an event in Italy, Bonaccini highlighted discussions in Strasbourg concerning the protection of young users online. The proposed direction includes a ban on social media profiles for children under 13 and a gradual increase in access until age 18, with potential limits such as a one-hour daily maximum for those under 15.

This discussion coincides with data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) surveillance, promoted by the World Health Organization. In the Marche region of Italy, approximately 12.5% of adolescents aged 11 to 17 exhibit problematic social media use. This condition is defined by symptoms such as anxiety regarding access, withdrawal symptoms when disconnected, inability to control usage time, and using social media to escape negative emotions.