EU urges Meta to protect children online after US settlement

The European Union is urging Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to strengthen its child protection measures online. This call comes in the wake of a settlement reached in the United States, where Meta agreed to pay a fine and implement changes aimed at reducing the impact of its platforms on adolescents.

Thomas Regnier, a spokesperson for the European Commission, stated that the EU expects Meta to provide "adequate management of screen time" and "appropriate parental controls" on its services. He stressed that these measures are crucial for safeguarding young users from potential harms associated with excessive use and unsupervised access to social media.

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We expect adequate management of screen time, appropriate parental controls on these platforms.

Regnier added that it is now up to Meta to present similar commitments within the European Union. The EU is seeking to ensure that children within its member states receive the same level of protection as those in the United States. The group is also subject to ongoing investigations within the EU, highlighting the bloc's scrutiny of Big Tech's practices regarding minors.

The EU's stance underscores a broader global concern about the effects of social media on young people's mental health and well-being. By leveraging the US settlement, the Union aims to hold Meta accountable and encourage proactive steps toward creating a safer online environment for children.

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It is now up to the company to propose these commitments within the European Union in order to also protect our children here.