European app able to confirm age on social media: listed below are the small print | EUROtoday

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«Our European app» examined in 5 member states together with Italy «for age verification is technically prepared and can quickly be out there to residents. This app will permit customers to show their age when accessing on-line platforms.” This was announced by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen at a press point in Brussels.

“It is up to parents to raise their children, not to the platforms,” he added, specifying that social platforms offer an environment that creates “addiction” and is not an environment that is “good for young developing minds”.

More protections for minors

«When it comes to the safety of minors online – highlights von der Leyen -, the situation is extremely worrying. One in six minors are victims of online bullying. One in eight minors is an online bully. Social media platforms offer highly engaging designs, endless scrolling, which fuels addiction. Short videos capture attention. Content is highly personalized and targeted. The amount of time our children spend in front of screens has never been higher, and that’s time they don’t spend on the playground or with their peers. And the more time they spend online, the more likely they are to be exposed to harmful and illegal content, as well as the risk of being lured by online predators. This environment does not benefit young developing minds. So I have listened carefully to parents who do not have adequate solutions to protect their children. I share their concerns. I listened to their concerns. It is up to parents to educate their children, not the platforms. And I also listened to the concerns of our member states.”

Italy among the many most superior international locations

«Online platforms – specifies von der Leyen – can depend on our age verification app with out issues. So there aren’t any extra excuses. Europe presents a free, easy-to-use resolution that may defend our youngsters from dangerous and unlawful content material. And we see that increasingly more Member States are making nice progress. France, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Spain, Cyprus and Ireland are on the forefront. They are planning to combine the app into their nationwide digital wallets. And I hope that different Member States and the personal sector will observe go well with, so that each citizen can quickly use this app.”

Von der Leyen underlines that the EU is «holding online platforms to account that do not sufficiently protect our very young people. The new age verification solution and enforcement of our policies go hand in hand. The rights of minors in the European Union come before commercial interests, and we will make sure this happens.”