EU Redefines Digital Safety Act: Social Media Ban for Under-13s

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has introduced a legal framework for new restrictions on children's social media use, particularly targeting under-13s and requiring tech companies to prove their platforms are safe by design. This move has sparked a new regulatory wave at the EU level.

EU Redefines Digital Safety Act

■Warnings to major tech firms like Meta Platforms mandate disabling addictive features such as infinite scroll.

■Time-limited access and parental oversight are mandated for under-13 users.

■The EU plans to develop an anonymous age verification system to balance privacy and control.

Global Regulatory Trends and Market Impact

■Countries like Australia, the UK, Turkey, and Indonesia have already implemented bans on social media for under-15s or 16s.

■Current age restrictions (e.g., Instagram and TikTok's under-13 bans) are deemed insufficient.

■Regulators are increasing legal liability for tech platforms.

Markets may view these regulatory pressures as a risk for platforms like Meta, TikTok, and YouTube to lose user base segments. However, the push for safer digital environments could also drive innovation in child-safe technologies. Bora Yalın