EU Invites Public to Enhance Online Protection for Children
The European Union is calling on the public, including parents and minors, to help shape new guidelines aimed at safeguarding children on digital platforms. This effort focuses on popular apps like TikTok and Instagram, highlighting the importance of protecting young users from harmful online content.
Concerns about the safety of children online have grown, especially after recent warnings from Belgium and France regarding the rise of #SkinnyTok videos that promote extreme thinness. These videos have sparked alarm due to their potential negative impact on minors.
Draft Measures for Safer Online Spaces
To address these issues, the EU commission has developed a list of draft measures designed to better protect children. This list is open for public consultation until June 10, inviting feedback to refine the recommendations before their final release in the summer.
Key proposed actions include verifying users’ ages, setting children’s accounts to private by default, and adjusting content recommendation algorithms to limit exposure to harmful material. These steps aim to create a safer online environment for young users.
Additional Safety Features Suggested
Moreover, the commission suggests making it easier for minors to block or mute other users. It also recommends requiring explicit consent before adding any user to a child’s account, which could help reduce cyberbullying risks.
“The wide range of measures will aid the different online platforms in protecting minors’ safety, security, privacy and well-being,” stated the EU’s digital chief, emphasizing the importance of these strategies.
Legal Framework and Enforcement
These recommendations are part of the EU’s landmark Digital Services Act, which mandates that all digital platforms actively monitor and manage content to protect users. Companies that fail to comply face significant fines.
Currently, investigations are underway into several major platforms over concerns that they have not done enough to address the addictive nature of their services, particularly for children.
By involving the public in shaping these guidelines, the EU hopes to create more effective protections and safer digital spaces for minors. For more updates on digital safety, visit Filipinokami.com.