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EU Plans Social Media Restrictions for Under-15s

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The European Commission has proposed the EU KIDS Act, which would introduce EU-wide restrictions on children’s access to social media. Under the proposal, children under 13 would not be allowed to access social media platforms, while those aged 13 to 14 could use supervised “mini accounts” with limited features and time restrictions.

The proposal would also set 15 as the minimum age for creating an independent social media account. The rules would extend beyond social media to video-sharing platforms, online games and AI chatbots, while platforms would have to demonstrate that their services are safe by design.

If approved, companies could face fines of up to 6% of their global annual turnover for violations. The proposal still needs approval from EU member states and the European Parliament before becoming law.

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EU Charges TikTok Over Child Safety Concerns

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The European Commission has accused TikTok of breaching the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), alleging that the platform’s design does not provide sufficient protection for children online. Regulators said some account settings could expose minors to cyberbullying, unwanted contact, and online predators, potentially leaving the company facing a fine of up to 6% of its global annual revenue.

According to the Commission, TikTok allows children to create public accounts and makes it possible for users to discover minors through followers and following lists, even when accounts are private. EU officials said stronger privacy protections for children should be enabled by default rather than requiring users to change settings manually.

TikTok said it would review the findings and continue cooperating with regulators. The company stated that accounts belonging to users under 18 are private by default and include more than 50 built-in safety and privacy features, including restrictions on direct messaging for younger teens. TikTok will now have the opportunity to respond before the EU reaches a final decision.

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Italian Families Sue Meta and TikTok After Teen’s Tragic Death

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An Italian mother has joined a landmark lawsuit against Meta and TikTok after the death of her 12-year-old daughter, Rossella, who died by suicide in 2024. Her parents say they discovered after her death that she had been heavily exposed to self-harm and depressive content on social media, including through a secret Instagram account. They allege that platform algorithms repeatedly promoted harmful material that worsened her mental state.

The case, the first collective legal action of its kind in Italy, seeks stronger protections for minors online and greater accountability from social media companies. Several families argue that current safeguards are insufficient and that algorithms are designed to encourage prolonged engagement, potentially exposing vulnerable children to harmful content. Meta and TikTok deny the allegations, stating that they actively remove dangerous material and have introduced tools to protect young users.

The lawsuit comes amid growing scrutiny of social media platforms across Europe and beyond. Regulators are increasing pressure on technology companies to strengthen child safety measures, while experts continue to debate the long-term impact of social media on adolescent mental health. Rossella’s mother says she joined the case to raise awareness and help other families recognize risks before it is too late.

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