Meta-owned social media platforms Facebook and Instagram are once again under criticism due to inaction related to the safety of children.
On Wednesday, the EU Commission slammed Instagram and Facebook with various charges under the Digital Services Act (DSA). According to EU regulators, these social media platforms are not doing enough to prevent children under 13 from accessing both platforms.
The EU is also urging big tech companies to do more to tackle the threat of online abuse and harmful content being widely spread on social media platforms.
According to disturbing statistics, around 12-13 percent of children under the age of 13 in Europe have access to Facebook and Instagram, putting them at great risk of digital abuse.
“Our preliminary findings show that Instagram and Facebook are doing too little to prevent children under this age from accessing their services,” EU technology chief Hanna Virkkunen said in a statement.
“Terms and conditions should not be mere written statements, but should be the basis for concrete action to protect users, including children,” he said.
According to the Commission’s comments, Meta’s platforms should work on changing their risk assessment approach as well as taking stronger measures to prevent children’s access to Facebook and Instagram. Additionally, minors who already have access should be identified and removed from the services.
In case of violation of DSA rules, tech companies may have to pay fines up to 60 percent of their global annual turnover. However, META can respond to these allegations and take effective steps before the EU issues a definitive decision.
