Brussels: The European Commission president on Tuesday emphasized the need for enhanced online child protection as the European Union deliberates new regulations concerning artificial intelligence (AI) and social media usage. ‘Children are not little adults. Their minds are delicate, their psychological vulnerability profound,’ stated Ursula von der Leyen, highlighting the potential dangers such as anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying that children face online.
According to Anadolu Agency, von der Leyen pointed out that social media and AI are transforming childhood experiences, posing increasing risks due to platform design and engagement-focused systems. She attributed these risks to business models that capitalize on capturing user attention, describing them as ‘deliberate choices by tech providers.’ The EU is already taking action under its digital regulations, including proceedings against major platforms like TikTok, Meta, and X, she noted.
Von der Leyen emphasized that the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act establish the legal framework necessary to regulate platforms and enforce accountability. ‘We have set rules, it is the law and those who break it will be held accountable,’ she asserted. Additionally, she announced the formation of an expert panel on child safety online, hinting at the possibility of introducing a ‘social media delay,’ contingent on the panel’s findings, with a legislative proposal potentially surfacing later in the year.
The discussion among EU member states on setting age restrictions for social media access is gaining traction. Von der Leyen posed a critical question, ‘The question is not whether young people should have access to social media, the question is whether social media should have access to young people.’ She also mentioned that the European Commission is working on an age verification application based on digital identity systems, aiming for implementation across member states and integration into digital wallets.
Emphasizing the responsibility of technology providers for online safety, von der Leyen stated, ‘In Europe, whoever develops a product is responsible for its safety.’ She revealed plans for the commission to propose measures targeting harmful digital design practices under a forthcoming Digital Fairness Act later this year. Von der Leyen also advocated for broader initiatives to enhance digital literacy, involving parents, schools, and media organizations, to help children navigate online spaces and recognize misinformation.
In her closing remarks, von der Leyen emphasized the importance of ensuring that children grow up ‘free, protected and empowered,’ asserting that policy decisions should be driven by responsibility rather than fear.