Meta Faces EU Law Violation for Inadequate Child Protection on Platforms
Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, has been found in preliminary violation of the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) for failing to prevent children under 13 from accessing its platforms. The European Commission's investigation, initiated in May 2024, revealed that Meta's measures to restrict underage users are insufficient. Despite having terms and conditions that require users to be at least 13 years old, many underage users reportedly bypass these rules by using fake birthdates. Additionally, Meta's tools for reporting underage accounts were criticized for being complex and ineffective. This breach could potentially lead to fines amounting to 6% of Meta's global annual turnover. The commission's findings come amid broader concerns about the mental and physical wellbeing of young users on social media and the potential addictive impacts of Meta's platforms. Countries like Spain and France are considering or have already implemented stricter age restrictions for social media access. 
