According to Silicon Republic, the European Parliament has proposed setting 16 as the minimum age for accessing social media, video platforms, and AI companions across Europe. Children between 13 and 16 would need parental consent under the harmonized digital minimum age plan. The proposals would ban addictive features like infinite scrolling by default and outlaw loot boxes and in-app currencies. European MEPs want to make “senior managers” like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk personally liable for harm to children. Parliament vice-president Christel Schaldemose declared “the experiment ends here” for platforms designed without children’s safety in mind. The measures are part of the upcoming Digital Fairness Act, with negotiations set to conclude by April next year.
Age Verification Reality Check
Here’s the thing: age verification at this scale has never worked effectively. We’ve seen countless attempts, from simple checkboxes to more sophisticated systems, and kids always find ways around them. The EU is working on an age verification app and digital identity wallet, but getting widespread adoption across 27 member states? That’s a massive technical and cultural challenge. And let’s be honest – how many parents are realistically going to manage digital consent for their teenagers across dozens of platforms? The intention is noble, but the execution seems wildly optimistic.
Personal Liability Gamble
Making executives personally liable is the nuclear option. It sounds tough, but think about the practical implications. How do you prove direct personal responsibility for harm that happens on platforms serving billions? This could either force real change or create a legal nightmare that ties up courts for years. And what constitutes “harm” exactly? The definition could become so broad that it’s unenforceable. Still, the threat alone might be enough to get tech giants to take child safety more seriously than they have so far.
Design Changes That Matter
Banning default addictive features is actually the most promising part of this proposal. Infinite scrolling, reward loops, gamification – these aren’t accidental design choices. They’re carefully engineered to maximize engagement, often at the expense of user wellbeing. Disabling them by default could fundamentally change how social media feels to use. But will platforms find new ways to keep users hooked? Probably. The cat-and-mouse game between regulators and tech companies designing addictive experiences has been going on for years.
Enforcement Nightmare
Look, banning platforms that don’t comply sounds decisive, but is it realistic? Blocking major social media sites across Europe would be economically and politically explosive. And what about the technical feasibility? We’re talking about services that are deeply embedded in daily life and business. The EU has shown it’s willing to take on big tech with GDPR and the Digital Services Act, but outright bans represent a whole new level of confrontation. Basically, this feels more like a negotiating position than a practical policy – start with the toughest demands and work backward from there.
