EU Charges Meta Over Child Safety Violations: Billions of Euros at Stake

The European Commission has intensified its legal battle against Meta Platforms, accusing Instagram and Facebook of failing to protect minors under the Digital Services Act (DSA).

Regulators argue that Meta’s algorithms are designed to exploit the vulnerabilities of young users, potentially leading to addictive behaviors. Despite the official age limit of 13, estimates suggest that up to 12% of the platforms’ user base consists of underage children who bypass ineffective age-verification barriers.

The Commission claims that Meta has disregarded scientific evidence regarding the negative psychological impact of its recommendation systems. Should these allegations be confirmed, Meta faces a staggering fine of up to 6% of its global annual revenue.

While Meta maintains that it employs robust tools to remove underage accounts, the EU demands a fundamental redesign of how social media platforms interact with younger demographics to ensure their mental well-being.