EU plans social media restrictions for under-15s — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): The European Union has announced plans to restrict social media access for children under 15, aiming to improve their wellbeing and strengthen online safety, media reports said. Under the proposed rules, children under 13 would be banned from accessing social media platforms, while those aged 13 to 15 would be limited to one hour of daily access through “mini accounts” linked to a parent or guardian’s account, the BBC reported. The restrictions would cover major platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube, as well as other video-sharing services, online games and AI chatbots. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the proposed legislation, known as the EU Kids Act, would put parents “back in the driving seat” and provide them with tools to help children use the internet more safely. Under the proposal, only people aged 15 and above would be allowed to create their own social media accounts. Platforms would also be required to demonstrate that their services are safe by design and avoid features considered toxic or addictive. Companies that fail to comply could face fines of up to 6 percent of their global annual turnover. Platforms would also be required to submit detailed child-safety plans for users under 18. The proposed EU-wide rules would replace conflicting national measures and would be legally binding…