The European Commission instructed member states to freeze national social media bans for children for 12 months to clear the path for a single bloc-wide rule, according to The Next Web. Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier announced this pause in Brussels on Thursday.
Key takeaways
- The European Commission has frozen national social media bans for children for 12 months.
- Austria became the first country affected by this delay regarding its under-14 restriction.
- Brussels proposed the EU Kids Act in September to establish uniform standards.
- Some nations like Denmark and Greece continue pushing forward with their own rules.
What is the impact of the EU social media bans pause?
Austria is the first nation impacted by this decision, meaning its plan to bar under-14s from video-sharing platforms with age checks is currently frozen. Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated to reporters, as reported by The Next Web, that the commission postponed any draft national laws overlapping with future harmonized rules.
Vienna pushed back against the ruling. Austrian state secretary Alexander Pröll called the Brussels intervention unacceptable because the bloc has not yet presented its own completed solution. Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler stated he had no sympathy for the delay and confirmed Vienna will keep preparing its law to launch as soon as the freeze lifts.
How do other countries handle the EU Kids Act and rules?
Other capitals face different circumstances across the bloc. Greece passed an under-15 restriction and submitted it to Brussels prior to the EU proposal, meaning Athens will likely keep it. The commission asked France to revise its draft, though it is not expected to block it because Paris submitted early. France previously had its first restriction struck down by its Constitutional Council in August.
Other drafts remain under review, including rules from Italy. The European Commission proposed the EU Kids Act in September, which would ban children under 13 from most platforms and restrict access for under-15s. Brussels wants a uniform standard so tech companies do not deal with 27 separate age restrictions, and it worries countries will abandon the broader law if local rules take effect first.
What happens next for the legislation?
The European Parliament and member governments still need to approve the EU Kids Act, which might not take effect until 2028. Several capitals refuse to wait for that timeline. Denmark continues pushing its own legislation forward, with digital minister Christina Egelund telling Politico Europe that local issues remain urgent.
Frequently asked questions
The European Commission paused national child social media rules for 12 months to push for a single harmonized law across all member states.
Austria was the first country affected, forcing the nation to freeze its plan to keep children under 14 off video-sharing platforms.
The EU Kids Act proposed in September would bar children under 13 from most social media sites and limit access for under-15s.
Greece passed its under-15 restriction last week and submitted it to Brussels before the EU proposal, so it will likely keep the law.
The European Parliament and member governments still need to approve the legislation, and it may not take effect until 2028.
Based on reporting by The Next Web. Read the original article
