11-09-2026
The Netherlands and Spain are urging the European Union to establish a harmonised, EU-wide minimum age for social media use as the European Commission prepares to present its own proposal. In a joint non-paper circulated ahead of the Commission’s expected announcement, the two governments argue that restrictions should be enforced at European level rather than through fragmented national laws. They also want the approach to cover other potentially harmful digital services, including video games, AI chatbots and AI companions.
Several EU countries, including France, Greece, Austria, Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands, are considering or advancing national restrictions on minors’ access to social media. The Dutch and Spanish governments say coordinated EU action is needed to avoid inconsistent rules and improve effectiveness. They propose using the Digital Services Act, under which the European Commission already regulates major online platforms such as Google, Instagram and TikTok, as a model for enforcement.
The proposal stresses that any age limit must be proportionate and compatible with fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, access to information and data protection. It calls for a comprehensive impact assessment, particularly after France’s Constitutional Council struck down a law banning social media access for under-15s, finding it overly broad and insufficiently proportionate.
The two countries advocate a risk-based approach addressing addictive algorithms and harmful design across digital services. They also caution against relying heavily on parental consent, arguing that it would be difficult to implement and could create additional privacy risks. To make the rules workable, they support an EU age-verification app limited to confirming whether a user meets a specified age threshold, thereby reducing privacy implications. Providers could receive exemptions if they demonstrate that their services are sufficiently safe.
Entities: The Netherlands, Spain, European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Digital Services Act (DSA) • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: analyze
11-09-2026
France 24’s “Access Asia” examines Australia’s expanding effort to regulate social media and protect users from potentially harmful algorithmic systems. Australia, described as the first country to ban social media access for minors, is considering additional legislation that would require social media companies to let users opt out of algorithm-driven feeds. The proposed measures also seek to strengthen online protections for children. However, opposition lawmakers argue that giving the government a greater role in regulating online platforms could become a form of censorship, highlighting the tension between child safety, user choice, corporate power and government oversight.
The program also explores climate injustice following a devastating flood in the Himalayas. The disaster illustrates how smaller, poorer countries and marginalised communities can face disproportionate consequences from climate change despite contributing relatively little to global emissions. France 24 reporters meet members of the Hmong community in northern Vietnam, who are described as living on the frontlines of climate-related risks.
A third report focuses on housing pressures in China’s major cities. Rising rents are forcing young workers and students to share increasingly cramped spaces, in some cases even sharing beds. Together, the segments examine the effects of digital technology, climate change and urban economic pressure on vulnerable populations across Asia. The 13-minute episode is presented by France 24’s “Access Asia” and is credited to Yuka Royer, Sonia Baritello, Stéphanie Cheval and Olivia Salazar-Winspear.
Entities: Australia, France 24, Access Asia, Big Tech, Social media algorithms • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
11-09-2026
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed 13 laws intended to protect children from online harms, with a particular focus on social media design and artificial intelligence. The measures increase privacy protections for minors and restrict platforms from offering users under 16 features considered psychologically exploitative, including infinite scrolling, algorithmic recommendations and autoplay that can promote compulsive use.
The legislation also addresses sexually explicit digitally manipulated material involving minors. One law creates criminal sanctions for digitally altered or AI-generated content depicting a minor engaged in sexual conduct. Other measures target AI companion chatbots: one requires parental controls for chatbot programs, while another bans toys that contain AI chatbots.
Newsom argued that California’s approach is more effective than Australia’s nationwide prohibition on social media access for people under 16. Rather than relying primarily on age restrictions, California’s laws focus on the underlying technology and design choices that can encourage excessive use. Reports have indicated that Australia’s ban has not prevented children and teenagers from accessing social media.
The laws place California among several US states tightening regulation of technology companies because of concerns about children’s online safety and mental health. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it supports providing teenagers with safe experiences when appropriate safeguards are in place.
The issue is also being debated in the European Union. Proposed EU measures range from restrictions for children under 13 to a broader ban for those under 15, an approach supported by France. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said society should not have to accept addictive social media design. Together, the developments reflect growing international concern about how digital platforms affect children and whether regulation should target users’ ages, platform features, or both.
Entities: California, Gavin Newsom, California social media laws, minors under 16, addictive social media features • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
