EU Pushes for Stricter Teen Protections on Social Media

Teenagers in the Baltic Nations may soon face restrictions when they attempt to create a social media account. Why? The new EU regulations are set to limit social media access to people at least 15 years old. Even parents are in support of the new proposal, and educators are backing them. The reasons are clear: social media, like other digital interactions, has both positive and negative influences. The EU may be known for its innovations. They also excel in shaping technology to align with user concerns and safety.

Enhancing Social Media Regulation

Governments always step in to regulate various sectors and enhance sustainability. For instance, in the gaming sector, UK casino sites are expected to be part of the GameStop program. GameStop allows players to voluntarily take a break from real money games offered by casinos licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. Players can take months or years away from real money slots, roulette, blackjack, poker, and even live dealer games. Once registered, a player cannot be allowed to play for real money on UKGC-licensed sites.

Gaming isn’t the only sector with an evolving legal framework. Social media has only been around for a couple dozen years and the regulations continue to change. Thanks to data, researchers can analyze various ways social media and other online platforms are impacting people. Lawmakers recognize the concerns, explaining acts like DMA and DSA. They help refine how businesses handle user data to enhance safety, transparency, and privacy.

Addressing Mounting Concerns

Everyone is on social media. Just consider the billions of users on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube. Thanks to modern phones, anyone with an internet connection can explore social media platforms. In fact, you don’t even need an account to explore some platforms. That’s because they provide value for everyone. Whether you want to keep up with trends or find recent updates and local news, social media has it. 

Online platforms, such as casinos, e-commerce stores, banks, and learning portals, feature access restriction measures. Only authorized, verified clients can access the platforms. They also use 2FA and MFA protocols to protect client data. Social media platforms implement the same security measures. However, they have no age restrictions, and often only require a verifiable email address or phone number. The new regulations seek to restrict social media account creation to users over 15 years old. 

Enhancing Digital Literacy

Driving digital innovation while preventing the adverse effects of innovations remains a challenge for most inventors. The Baltic nations are looking to find the balance, and it all boils down to digital literacy and regional strategies. With safety and sustainability as the objectives, governments and lawmakers must focus on helping people understand and distinguish between the benefits and drawbacks of emerging technologies. Whether it is AI-driven machine learning, or expanding virtual realms, like Facebook’s Metaverse, there are merits and demerits to everything.

Moderation and regulation are necessary to prevent the adverse effects of overindulgence. In the case of the new EU proposal, regulations can help protect minors below 15 years from the negative impact of social media. According to the proposal, minors below this age should be protected from bullying and unnecessary exposure to misinformation and scams. The regulations also give minors enough time to learn about digital platforms, manipulative design practices, misleading reward mechanics, and financial risks.

Looking Ahead: EU’s Digital Aspirations

The EU is deliberating whether 15-year-old minors should be exposed to the adverse effects of social media. Although it may seem simple, either decision requires evaluating nuanced conclusions about the positive and negative impacts of social media. Ethical and moral responsibilities are in question and hard data is also available. As technology advances, the EU and Baltic nations will continue to evaluate and adapt their laws.