Meta Supports EU Proposal for Common Digital Majority Age

Meta, the parent company of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has announced its support for an EU proposal to establish a common digital majority age across all member states. This age would determine the point at which children would be legally allowed to access social media without parental consent. The proposal has been championed by countries like France, Spain, and Greece, aiming to create a uniform age threshold for digital adulthood. Below this age, minors would need parental permission to use online services, including social media, gaming, and other digital platforms. In addition to this, the proposal suggests integrating age verification systems and stronger parental controls for devices connected to the internet. Meta supports these changes and believes they would ensure that younger users have safe, age-appropriate experiences online. The company also calls for age verification mechanisms at the app store or operating system level, where a decision could be made about whether a child is allowed to download apps. Meta clarifies, however, that it does not support blanket government bans on social media for certain age groups, as such laws might undermine parental authority and be overly restrictive. The company’s stance reflects growing discussions on the safety of children online, with some governments even exploring laws that could limit social media access for those under 16, similar to measures in Australia.