EU Demands Meta Limit Addictive Features For Teenagers In Europe

The European Union demands Meta protect children on social media platforms in Europe. This news comes after Meta agreed to new limits for teenagers in the United States. The changes could soon affect how young people in Europe use Facebook and Instagram. The European Commission expects Meta to introduce better parental controls and screen time limits.

Officials in Brussels closely monitored the recent court settlement in California. In that deal, Meta agreed to limit daily teen app use to two hours. Meta also agreed to an automatic nighttime block for teenage users in America. Now, the EU wants similar protection for children living in European member states.

Last month, the EU found Meta breached the Digital Services Act. Regulators flagged features like endless scroll, auto-play videos, and personalized feeds. These features can create addictive habits among young users on social media. If Meta fails to fix these issues, it faces huge global fines. The EU can fine Meta up to six percent of its global annual turnover.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen will outline proposed restrictions on September 16th. An expert panel recently advised no screen time for babies and toddlers. They recommended adult supervision on social media for children under twelve years old. A formal legal proposal on social media access will follow later this year. This story was originally reported by The Local.