Groups point to ‘gaps’ in EU Kids Act
A joint statement from a group of European child-rights organisations has called on EU policy-makers to address “gaps” in proposed legislation to restrict children’s access to social-media platforms.
The EU Kids Act includes a ban on social media for children under the age of 13.
The EU Coalition for Children’s Rights Online commends the proposal for its precautionary approach, in establishing default safety-by-design principles for all minors and new due-diligence obligations for providers.
“However, gaps remain to fully realise the promise of safer digital environment for all children and ensure companies are required to prove that they are safe,” the statement adds.
Accountability
It calls for a greater recognition of children’s “unequal risks and exposure” to online harms, a strict implementation of the principle of accountability, and a stronger approach to prevention.
To implement these principles, the coalition is calling for five changes to the proposal:
- Cover every service that is accessible to minors and may cause them harm,
- Guarantee the same level of protection wherever children are online,
- Make access depend on the safety of the service, not on parents,
- Make guardian tools a support for children and their families, and
- Require proof of safety before access to the market.
The consortium of 19 organisations throughout Europe includes the Children's Rights Alliance and its member Irish organisation CyberSafeKids.
A consultation on the act is open until 26 November.