EU Tightens Social Media Rules With Digital Services Act
The European Union is fortifying regulations for social media platforms with the Digital Services Act, aiming to minimise risks and safeguard young users. Balancing opportunities and challenges, the EU and national laws like Germany's GDPR establish age limits for consent and foster responsible media usage.
The Digital Services Act, a new EU law, centres on risk minimisation. It motivates platforms to implement child-friendly default settings and transparent reporting paths. This complements the GDPR, which sets the minimum age for consent to data processing at 16 years, but allows member states to lower it to 13.
Social media presents creative design, exchange, and learning paths for children and adolescents. However, it also raises queries about protection, boundaries, and orientation. One-sided bans often fall short, as they block access without fostering digital competencies. Instead, family rules set clear framework conditions, including usage times, allowed devices, and managing contact requests.
Social media influences daily life and alters how young users perceive information and relationships. While offering prospects for exchange and creativity, it also presents challenges like data protection issues. The EU's Digital Services Act and GDPR strive to address these challenges, promoting self-responsibility and protecting young users.
