Global Debate Intensifies Over Minors' Access to Social Media

The global conversation surrounding minors' access to social media has reached a critical juncture, spurred by Meta's agreement to pay up to $16.68 billion to settle lawsuits in the United States. These lawsuits accused the parent company of Facebook and Instagram of intentionally designing its platforms to foster addiction in young users and misleading consumers about the associated dangers.

This significant settlement has amplified calls for stricter regulations worldwide. Australia led the charge in November 2024 by enacting one of the world's most stringent laws, imposing substantial fines on platforms that violate rules restricting access for children under 16. Indonesia followed suit in March of this year, prohibiting minors under 16 from accessing platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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Although there is no single age in Europe to access social networks, the debate exists and practically all countries are studying imposing stricter verification controls or raising the minimum age to limit adolescents' access to these platforms.

Malaysia became the third country to implement such restrictions in June, enforcing laws that ban social media access for those under 16 and mandate age verification systems. Similarly, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans in June to ban under-16s from platforms including TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, though this proposal awaits parliamentary approval.

In Europe, the debate is equally robust. While no single age limit exists, numerous countries are exploring stricter age verification methods or raising the minimum age requirement. Spain, for instance, has a legal minimum age of 14 but is moving to raise it to 16 through its draft Law on the Protection of Minors in Digital Environments. This legislation also aims to penalize deepfakes and enhance penalties for online grooming of minors. France has also attempted to legislate, though a recent constitutional council ruling struck down a key article of a bill that would have prohibited access for those under 15.

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Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to pay up to $16.68 billion to settle lawsuits filed by several states in the United States - accusing the company of designing its networks to generate addiction in minors and deceiving consumers about the dangers of its platforms - has brought the debate to the forefront.