Meta found in breach of EU law for failing to keep children off platforms
Summary
Meta has been found to break EU rules by not stopping children under 13 from using Facebook and Instagram. The European Commission said Meta lacks effective ways to verify users' ages and prevent underage access, which violates the EU's Digital Services Act.Key Facts
- Meta's Facebook and Instagram allow children under 13 to join by using fake birthdates.
- The EU's Digital Services Act requires companies to reduce risks for underage users, but Meta has not done enough.
- Meta’s tool for reporting underage accounts is hard to use and does not properly follow up.
- The European Commission started a detailed investigation into Meta in May 2024.
- If Meta is officially found guilty, it could face a fine of up to 6% of its global yearly revenue.
- Meta made $201 billion in revenue in 2025.
- The EU and some countries are considering banning social media for children under 15 or 16 to better protect young users.
- The investigation also looks into whether Meta's platforms harm the mental and physical health of young people by showing negative or extreme content.
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