Overview
- The resolution passed 483–92 with 86 abstentions and proposes a harmonised minimum age of 16, allowing access from 13 to 15 only with parental consent and banning use by under‑13s.
- It extends to social networks, video‑sharing platforms and AI companions, citing deep concern over risks to minors’ physical and mental health.
- MEPs call to disable by default addictive features for minors such as infinite scroll, autoplay and reward loops, and to curb personalized ads, influencer marketing and profile‑based recommendations.
- Lawmakers urge tougher accountability, including potential personal liability for senior tech executives over persistent safety breaches, and action on loot boxes and financial incentives for child influencers.
- The Parliament supports a European Commission pilot to verify users’ ages across member states, while stressing that verification does not relieve platforms of their duty to make services age‑appropriate.