EU Demands Meta Address Addictive Features in Europe Post-US Settlement
Aisha Mensah | AFP
The European Union expects Meta to implement measures curbing 'addictive' features of its platforms following a significant US agreement involving teen use of Facebook and Instagram.
The European Union has announced its expectations for Meta, demanding the tech giant address 'addictive' features on its platforms in Europe. This follows Meta's agreement to implement significant restrictions on teenage use of Facebook and Instagram in certain US states, a settlement valued at up to $16.7 billion.
The settlement in the United States came after a landmark trial in California, where Meta agreed to a range of new safeguards designed to protect young users. These include an automatic block during nighttime and a cap of two hours daily usage for teenagers across its apps.
Europe is closely watching these developments, with the European Commission indicating that Meta needs to provide similar commitments within the European Union to protect its younger audiences.
EU Emphasizes Child Safety
European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier emphasized the importance of child safety in ongoing discussions with Meta. He stated, 'The ball is in Meta's court,' highlighting that the commission seeks assurances that kids in the EU will receive 'at least equally good protection' as those involved in the US deal.
Regnier outlined specific expectations for Meta, including proper screen time management and parental controls on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. The EU had previously identified endless scrolling and automatic video playback as particularly concerning features for young users.
Regnier indicated that, should Meta fail to meet EU expectations, significant fines could be imposed, up to 6% of Meta’s worldwide annual turnover.
Social Media Access in the EU
Concurrently, the EU is exploring broader restrictions on social media access for young users, following pressures from member states and drawing inspiration from Australia's regulatory approach.
An advisory panel recently advised EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on potential regulatory frameworks, suggesting no screen time for infants and limited supervised exposure for children up to age 12. For teenagers aged 13 to 18, the panel recommended allowing progressively more autonomous social media engagement.
Von der Leyen reiterated that the primary concern was not if children could access social media, but when social media could access children, emphasizing the need for companies to demonstrate that their services are safe.
Implications for Urban Governance
This renewed focus on digital parental controls and safe online practices signifies a larger opportunity for municipal leaders to influence digital well-being initiatives at a local level. Cities, as educational and administrative hubs, can play a role in promoting technology literacy and safety in schools and community programs.
The regulatory push from the EU also underscores the need for local governments to consider the digital aspects of child safety and public health in their urban planning and policy making. Metropolitan areas may wish to initiate public awareness campaigns to educate caregivers and children about online risks and safe practices.
Questions That Matter
What did Meta agree to in the US?
Meta agreed to pay up to $16.7 billion to a coalition of US states and impose limits on teenage use of Facebook and Instagram, according to a court filing in California.
What does the EU expect from Meta?
The EU expects Meta to propose commitments on screen time management and parental control to protect children, similar to those in the US settlement.