EU social media ban opposed by 132 groups and experts

More than 130 groups and experts urged the European Union to make social media safer for children instead of banning minors from the platforms, in a letter sent to EU chief Ursula von der Leyen.

The 132 signatories included the 5Rights Foundation, Amnesty International and the Center for Countering Digital Hate. They argued against blanket bans that they said shift “the burden of safety onto parents or children”.

Their call came before von der Leyen is expected to outline how the EU plans to protect children online from dangerous content and addictive apps. Officials say she is weighing limits for under-13s or under-15s ahead of her State of the European Union speech on September 16.

The groups called for a Europe-wide framework for digital safety, including enforcement of the EU's Digital Services Act. They said the EU should set minimum standards for digital products and services to be deemed safe for age groups up to 18, with age-based limits on high-risk features.

Leanda Barrington-Leach, executive director of 5Rights Foundation, said children need safe, age-appropriate digital services and that the EU can require tech companies to prove they meet that standard before reaching children.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for European rules banning social media for under-15s. Estonia's digital minister told AFP that platforms should be the ones to change.