The European Commission will propose the KIDS law on Thursday to establish a minimum age for access to social media across the European Union. This action follows increasing pressure from government leaders, particularly Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, to prioritize the safety of children on social media in the political agenda.
Details of the KIDS Law
The new proposal includes setting a minimum age for access to social media, video-sharing platforms, online games, and AI chatbots. This law aims to ensure safety designed for online products. It will also provide parents and guardians with tools to monitor children's online activities. On the other hand, educational tools will be exempt from this law.
Pressure on Governments and Officials
The French government is simultaneously advancing a national law to restrict children's access to platforms like TikTok and Instagram. These pressures have increased due to growing concerns about the negative impacts of social media on children and adolescents, particularly regarding mental health. European officials are seeking to provide a comprehensive legal framework that can help improve online safety.
According to preparatory documents that have been made available, this proposal will be accompanied by a new enforcement architecture similar to the Digital Services and AI laws. These laws will enable the European Commission to oversee higher-risk companies and services and charge companies for monitoring costs.
Legal Implications
These new laws could potentially change how social media and online communications operate and directly affect how children and adolescents interact with these platforms. The final text of this law is still under revision and will need to be negotiated with EU governments and lawmakers. These negotiations are expected to begin soon, with more details on the implementation of these laws to be released.
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