\n Published on
\n 26\/11\/2025 – 18:57 GMT+1\n <\/p>\n
The report was approved by a large majority of 483 votes in favour, 92 against and 86 abstentions in a non-binding vote held in Strasbourg. <\/p>\n
The proposal suggests children and teens under the age of 16 should not have access to social media, video-sharing platforms and AI chat bots. <\/p>\n
The move comes just a week after French President Emmanuel Macron lambasted US big tech and Chinese algorithms – in a reference to TikTok, without naming it – for creating a culture of harassment, bullying and extremism.<\/p>\n
Macron said these platforms do not contribute to freedom of speech but instead foster a “Wild West” environment with little oversight. <\/p>\n
Defenders of social media as a platform for “radical free speech” such as Elon Musk, owner of Tesla and X, argue European authorities are trying to silence alternative voices through regulation. <\/p>\n
Earlier this week, US official visited Brussels and urged the Commission to revisit its implementation of digital rules in exchange for better trading terms with the US.<\/p>\n
The EU has so far rejected changing its landmark regulatory framework under the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act calling it a matter of sovereignty. <\/p>\n
Macron has called more measures “to create a digital sovereignty that protects our children, our teenagers and our democratic space.”<\/p>\n
The President of the Commission, Germany’s Ursula von der Leyen, has echoed the same. <\/p>\n
Negative impact on mental health for teens<\/strong><\/p>\n In the report, MEPs said research shows that one in four minors now displays \u201cproblematic\u201d smartphone use comparable to addiction.<\/p>\n Lawmakers warned that manipulative designs, such as infinite scrolling, or doom scrolling. It also said auto play videos and personalised recommendation algorithms are undermining children\u2019s wellbeing, concentration and sleep.<\/p>\n Lawmakers welcomed the Commission\u2019s plans to develop an EU age-verification app <\/a>and roll out the European digital identity wallet. <\/p>\n Platforms, the MEPs said, are responsible for ensuring their services are safe by design and suitable for younger users. <\/p>\n The report urges tougher enforcement of existing digital rules, in particular the Digital Services Act, which includes protection for minors online. <\/p>\n