Imagine a world where kids under 15 are banned from social media. France is pushing for it, and they’re not alone! Countries like Greece, Spain, and Denmark are also sounding the alarm, worried about the intense impact social media has on young minds. Studies show that heavy use can double the risk of mental health issues for teens, who currently spend around four hours a day scrolling.
But here’s the tricky part: how do you actually enforce such a ban? Right now, there’s no reliable way for social media platforms to verify a user’s age. This makes national laws, however well-intentioned, feel like empty words. That’s where the European Union steps in. Since only the EU can truly enforce new rules on big online platforms, they’re developing a game-changer: the e-ID wallet.
Think of it as a digital ID that lets you easily verify your age on apps and websites across the EU. Some countries are already testing it, and by next year, all EU nations will be required to provide this tool. By 2027, we could have a continent-wide system that finally gives platforms the ability to restrict access based on age.
This is huge! It means individual countries can set stricter rules for child protection. However, it also opens up a new challenge: different age limits in different countries. That’s why Brussels is now debating a common, EU-wide age limit, perhaps starting at 13. This would create a consistent safety net for all European kids, while still allowing countries to set higher national limits if they choose.
The goal is clear: to create a safer, healthier online environment for our children. The wheels are turning in Europe to make this a reality.
