Regulate platforms, not children – European Commissioner urges caution over social media bans

Archived version

“As several European countries consider introducing a minimum age to access social media platforms, I urge caution in imposing sweeping bans. The focus on restricting access should not deflect attention from ensuring that platforms respect human rights through clear legal duties, independent oversight, and effective accountability,” said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, in his latest Shout Out.

“Efforts to restrict children’s access through blanket bans and mandatory age verification arise from legitimate concerns, as the current online ecosystem is failing children. Children are exposed to violent, sexual, or distressing content, grooming, and rapidly spreading disinformation. Opaque algorithms direct them toward extreme material, while manipulative designs influence their behaviour, and pervasive data collection compromises their privacy. These outcomes are foreseeable results of specific design choices and business models, necessitating regulatory intervention at the source.

Banning children’s access to social media, though, shifts the responsibility for safety from the platforms that create the environment to the children who navigate it. States should require platforms to prevent and mitigate risks to children’s rights by design and by default, and hold platforms accountable for failures.

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Before considering a ban, governments and parliaments should pause and exercise caution. They should consult with experts, civil society, and children, and ensure that proposals are human rights compliant. The source of harm is rooted in the design and incentives of the platforms. That should be the primary focus of regulation.”