The European Parliament votes on access to social networks for young people, without solid proof of their harmfulness

Posted by Isabelle Szczepanski le 26 novembre 2025

The European Parliament has voted by a large majority in favor of a resolution calling for a massive tightening of online protection for minors: a harmonized minimum age of 16, a ban on functions deemed « addictive » and tougher penalties for platforms. Problem: some of the fundamental data provided by the Parliament to justify these measures are scientifically questionable, including those on the notion of addiction as applied to social networks.

By 483 votes to 92 (with 86 abstentions), the European Parliament today adopted a resolution calling for a significant strengthening of the protection of minors online. The text, put forward by Danish Social Democrat MEP Christel Schaldemose, has no legislative value but is intended to guide future Commission proposals. As is often the case with so-called « own-initiative »…

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