EU moves to strengthen online protection for minors

The European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) approved a report by 17 votes to 3, with 4 abstentions, urging stricter EU regulations for minors on social media. The report advocates for privacy by design, age-appropriate systems, and algorithmic transparency, while demanding the banning of addictive design practices. Simultaneously, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen received a report from an expert group recommending age-based access limits. Proposals include no screen exposure for children under 3, supervised access for those under 13, and gradual access for those over 13. The Commission intends to draft legislative proposals after the summer, focusing on parental control and platform liability. Von der Leyen noted that current practices harm youth mental health, citing issues like sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression. Platforms are urged to implement risk-based safeguards, with potential personal liability for management in cases of severe non-compliance.