European Lawmakers Seek EU-Wide Minimum Age To Access AI Chatbots, Social Media

The European Parliament has passed a non-binding resolution urging an EU-wide minimum age of 16 to access social media, video-sharing platforms, and AI chatbots, with parental consent allowed for ages 13-16 and a hard ban for anyone under 13. 'It also proposes additional measures, including a ban on addictive design features that keep children hooked to screens and manipulative advertising and gambling-like elements,' reports Reuters. Furthermore, the draft 'calls for the outright blocking of websites that don't follow EU rules and to address AI tools that can create fake or inappropriate content.'

The resolution 'carries no legal weight' but reflects the growing concern on the issue of AI companions and algorithm-driven platforms even. 'Any binding legislation would require formal proposals from the European Commission, followed by negotiations between EU member states and Parliament in a process that typically takes years to complete,' notes the report.

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