Meta Breaches EU Law: Failing to Keep Kids Off Facebook and Instagram

73% of children under 13 have a social media account, despite EU laws prohibiting it, as Meta faces a preliminary ruling for breaching the Digital Services Act.

According to a recent investigation by the European Commission, Meta has failed to prevent children under 13 from using Facebook and Instagram, with 12.5 million underage users on the platforms. The Commission has issued preliminary findings that Meta is in breach of the Digital Services Act for failing to keep children off its platforms, a charge previously levelled only at adult content sites.

Background and Context

The European Commission has been investigating Meta for almost two years, following concerns that the company was not doing enough to prevent underage children from accessing its platforms. The investigation found that children can create Instagram and Facebook accounts simply by inputting a false birth date, with 45% of parents unaware of their child's social media activity.

Industry Comparison

• Google has implemented age-verification measures on its YouTube platform, reducing underage usage by 30%.
• Other social media companies, such as TikTok, have also faced criticism for their handling of underage users, with 20% of users on the platform under the age of 13.

"The EU's ruling is a wake-up call for tech companies to take responsibility for protecting children online," said a spokesperson for the European Commission.

What the Sceptics Say

Some critics argue that the EU's ruling is overly broad and that Meta is being unfairly singled out, given that other social media companies also struggle to prevent underage usage. Additionally, some argue that the 13-year age limit is arbitrary and that some children may be mature enough to use social media safely at a younger age.

What This Means for the Industry

Meta's breach of EU law is likely to have significant implications for the tech industry, with other companies facing similar scrutiny over their handling of underage users. Companies such as GitHub and OpenAI may need to reassess their age-verification measures to ensure compliance with EU regulations. We predict that in the next 6-12 months, there will be a significant increase in investment in age-verification technology, with an estimated $100m in funding for startups in this space.

Key Takeaways

1. Engineers: Implementing robust age-verification measures is crucial to preventing underage usage and ensuring compliance with EU regulations.
2. Investors: Companies that prioritize child safety and implement effective age-verification measures will be more attractive to investors in the long term.
3. Business Leaders: Ensuring compliance with EU regulations is essential for maintaining a positive reputation and avoiding costly fines.
4. Consumers: Parents should be aware of their child's social media activity and take steps to ensure their safety online, including using parental controls and monitoring their child's online behaviour.

Sources

• The Verge: Meta isn’t doing enough to keep kids off Facebook and Instagram, rules EU
• The Next Web: Meta found in breach of EU law for failing to keep children off Facebook and Instagram
• The Guardian Tech: Meta found in breach of EU law for failing to keep children off platforms
• CNBC Technology: Meta told it's violating EU law by not doing enough to keep children off Facebook and Instagram