Stricter protection for children on the internet

MEPs warn of the significant risks children face online - from addictive behaviour to manipulative platform techniques. According to studies, 25% of children suffer from 'problem' smartphone use, while most young people are online every day.

Parliament proposes to set a uniform EU-wide age limit of 16 for access to social networks, video platforms and AI chatbots. Younger users aged 13-16 could only use these services with parental consent. MEPs support the development of a European age verification and digital identity (eID) application to protect children's privacy.

MEPs also call for a much stricter approach to the platforms. This includes a ban on engagement-based algorithms for minors (i.e. recommending content based on what triggers the most interactions), banning loot boxes and gambling-like game elements, and disabling features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay or 'reward loops'.

According to the Parliament, platform managers should be held personally liable if a company systematically ignores child protection rules under the DSA or the upcoming Digital Fairness Act. The report also calls for a ban on platforms that repeatedly violate EU obligations.

The recommendations also include stricter regulation of generative AI content, including deepfake videos, AI tools creating nudity without consent, or "AI companionship bots" that can be used for malicious manipulation.