L'UE è sempre più vicina a vietare i social media ai minori Se la proposta venisse approvata, si tratterebbe della più ampia misura di questo tipo mai introdotta

Recently the New York Times reported that the European Union has made significant progress toward approving a possible ban on the use of social networks for younger users – something that has been discussed for some time. According to the US newspaper, the ban would specifically target children under 13. For those under 18, meanwhile, the proposal would allow access only to platforms that guarantee specific protective measures, such as tools to limit doomscrolling.

In any case, even if it is presented, the proposal will have to go through a lengthy legislative process before becoming law. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is expected to present the measure in September, during the traditional State of the Union address.

Understanding the importance of a social media ban in Europe

The possible ban on social media use in the European Union is part of a trend that has already been underway for some time in several countries. Australia was the first to officially introduce a ban of this kind, and since then similar measures have been adopted – or are under advanced discussion – in numerous other countries, including Spain, France, Norway, Turkey, Canada, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom.

If the European Union were to approve a measure of this kind, it would be the most far-reaching intervention ever carried out on this issue. The European continent, in fact, has around 450 million inhabitants, and nearly 18% of them are under 18 years old – which would make the potential ban one of the most significant in the world.

The ban – in all the countries where it has already been introduced – is based on the belief that there is a direct link between the use of social networks and the worsening of mental health among younger people. However, among experts who study adolescent dynamics, these measures have generated a certain amount of skepticism: studies on the effects of social networks on young people are still limited, and bans are often seen as attempts to tackle highly complex problems with solutions that are, in themselves, simplistic.

How the ban would come into effect

The approval of the potential proposal, however, will not be immediate. European rules require lengthy negotiations between the institutions and the governments of the 27 member states, which do not always share the same position on the need to introduce new regulations in the digital sector.

The issue of enforcement also remains open. The Australian case has highlighted certain difficulties in applying the ban, with several experts arguing that many teenagers are still managing to get around the restrictions.

Meanwhile, Brussels continues to increase pressure on big tech companies: even without a ban yet in force, European authorities are already asking platforms to modify certain features considered capable of encouraging – more or less indirectly – doomscrolling.