EU Considers Social Media Ban for Under-16s Amid Global Pressure

• The EU is actively exploring a social media ban for children under 16, following France's parliamentary vote and Australia's recent ban.
• European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen supports a minimum age limit and plans a consultative panel for early this year to guide the 27-nation bloc.
• The European Parliament has already advocated for a ban on social media for under-16s, with Malaysia, Norway, and New Zealand also moving towards similar restrictions.
• The EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) provides regulators with powers to compel platforms to protect minors online, including banning targeted advertising.
• Ongoing EU probes into TikTok and Meta's Facebook and Instagram investigate potential negative impacts on young people, particularly the 'rabbit hole' effect.

Why It Matters: The EU is seriously considering a social media ban for children, driven by global actions and ongoing investigations.