The European Union has warned that Meta Platforms may not be doing enough to prevent children under 13 from accessing its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, raising concerns about exposure to harmful content and the possibility of a major financial penalty.
After an investigation under the Digital Services Act, regulators said Meta’s safeguards were ineffective. They noted that children could easily bypass age restrictions by entering false birth dates, and that tools for reporting underage users were difficult to find and use.
“Terms and conditions should not be mere written statements, but rather the basis for concrete action to protect users, including children,” said Henna Virkkunen.
Although Meta’s policies require users to be at least 13 years old, EU officials said enforcement has been inadequate and does not sufficiently address risks to younger users.
If the findings are upheld, the EU could fine Meta up to six percent of its global annual revenue. However, penalties could be avoided if the company takes corrective action.
Meta has denied the allegations, stating it already uses systems to detect and remove underage users and will continue cooperating with EU authorities.
The probe, launched in May 2024, is part of a wider effort by the EU to regulate major tech companies and improve online safety for children. Regulators are also reviewing platform design features they consider potentially addictive and their impact on user wellbeing.
The EU is weighing additional measures, including a region-wide minimum age for social media use, amid growing pressure following similar steps taken in other countries.
