EU-WIDE BAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR UNDER 16s – IF PARLIAMENT GETS ITS WAY
European Parliament members (MPEs) have officially called for a Europe-wide ban on social media for children under 16, hoping to control the rising mental and emotional harm caused by digital platforms.
The resolution passed with 483 votes in favor, 92 against, and 86 abstentions. Their goal is to standardize the minimum age limits for apps and platforms across all EU countries… including social media, video-sharing apps, and AI companions.
Over 90 percent of Europeans believe urgent action is needed to shield children from digital harm.
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Alarming Numbers
Research shows that 25% of kids aged 13 to 17 in Europe have “problematic” or “dysfunctional” smartphone use… like checking their phones every hour, nonstop.
Under the proposal: • Under age 12 – TOTAL BAN
• Ages 13 to 15 – Parental consent required to access any social media platform
Lawmakers say that the current design of digital apps… especially those popular with kids… is manipulative and addictive. Among the most used apps by European minors: Discord, Fortnite, Instagram, Roblox, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitch, and YouTube.
These apps, according to MPEs, use “manipulative strategies” that damage concentration and push children into addictive behavior.
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Denmark and Australia Leading the Charge
• Denmark became the first EU country to ban social media for kids under 15 last November 7. They cited rising anxiety and depression among the youth.
• Australia passed a similar ban in 2024. It will take effect next month… restricting social media access for anyone under 16.
Pero may mga tumututol. The Digital Freedom Project in Australia has filed a case in the High Court… on behalf of two 15-year-olds. Their argument: the ban restricts their freedom of political communication, a right implied in the constitution.
A separate 2024 report from Australia’s eSafety Commission revealed this surprising fact:
80% of kids under 13 still manage to bypass age restrictions and use social media anyway.
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The Real Debate: Age Verification
Marami ang nagsasabi… the real issue isn’t the ban. It’s forcing tech companies to build strong age-verification systems that actually work.
• Greece, Italy, and Spain – support strict age verification
• France and Norway – want full age-based bans
To address these concerns, lawmakers proposed new rules under the upcoming Digital Fairness Act. Big tech companies like Meta (Facebook, Instagram), Alphabet (YouTube), and Amazon (Twitch) could soon be required to:
• Disable autoplay and infinite scrolling by default
• Ban loot boxes, randomized gamification, and kidfluencer incentives
• Limit targeted ads, influencer marketing, and addictive algorithms
• Regulate AI tools like deepfakes and nudity apps targeted at minors
Any platform that refuses to comply?
They could be banned from operating in the EU entirely.
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The digital world is finally facing a question many parents have asked for years…
Is social media shaping our children… or consuming them?
Sa panahon ng AI, algorithms, at endless scrolling… ang pinakamalaking laban ng kabataan ay hindi na nasa labas ng bahay… kundi nasa bulsa nila. The next chapter of childhood… might depend on whether we choose regulation… or addiction.
Technology evolves… but childhood should never be sacrificed.
