Meta Charged With Failing to Keep Children Off Instagram and Facebook in Europe
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- The European Commission has preliminarily ruled that Meta has failed to implement adequate safeguards to prevent children under 13 from accessing Instagram and Facebook, violating the EU's Digital Services Act.
- Meta lacks effective systems to verify users' ages and remove underage accounts, making it easy for children to bypass age restrictions.
- The reporting tool for minors on Meta's platforms is deemed cumbersome and ineffective, with insufficient follow-up after reports are made.
- Regulators estimate that 10 to 12 percent of children under 13 in the EU are using Instagram and Facebook despite age restrictions.
- This ruling is part of a broader EU crackdown on social media companies like Snap and TikTok to enhance child safety online, with potential fines and penalties looming for Meta.
