EU Says Meta Might Be Breaching Digital Law Over Minors' Use of Facebook, Instagram
By Edith Hancock
The European Union said Meta Platforms might be in breach of the bloc's digital laws for not doing enough to prevent minors under the age of 13 from using Instagram and Facebook.
The European Commission said on Wednesday that measures Meta has put in place to restrict minors' access to the platforms don't seem to be effective. The company requires users of its hugely popular social networks to be over 13 in most countries.
This is the latest move by the EU executive to enforce the Digital Services Act, which requires large online platforms like Facebook and Instagram to do more to protect young people online and safeguard against harmful and illegal content. Earlier this year, the commission also told video platform TikTok it may be breaching the rules over concerns that certain features like infinite scroll are addictive.
Meta didn't immediately reply to a request for comment.
Henna Virkkunen, the EU's top tech enforcer, said in a statement Wednesday that Instagram and Facebook were doing little to prevent children under 13 from accessing their services.
"The DSA requires platforms to enforce their own rules: terms and conditions should not be mere written statements, but rather the basis for concrete action to protect users - including children," she said.
Write to Edith Hancock at edith.hancock@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 29, 2026 03:17 ET (07:17 GMT)
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