The European Union has raised serious concerns about how effectively Meta is preventing children under 13 from accessing its platforms, Facebook and Instagram. According to officials, gaps in enforcement could be exposing young users to content that isn’t appropriate for their age—something that may lead to heavy financial penalties for the tech giant.
Across Europe, protecting children online has become an urgent priority. Several countries are already debating stricter rules, including potential bans on social media use for those under 16. At the same time, the EU is exploring the possibility of introducing a unified age limit across all member states, especially as global pressure mounts following bold moves like Australia’s restrictions on youth access to social platforms.
In its latest findings, EU regulators stated that Meta has not done enough to enforce its own rules, which set the minimum age at 13. Officials have urged the company to strengthen its systems to better detect and remove underage users.
EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen emphasized that rules should go beyond written policies. They must translate into real-world action that actively protects children from harm.
If these preliminary findings are confirmed, Meta could face a fine of up to six percent of its global annual revenue—a significant financial consequence.
Meta, however, disagrees with the EU’s assessment. A company spokesperson stated that both Instagram and Facebook are designed strictly for users aged 13 and above, adding that systems are already in place to identify and remove underage accounts. The company also said it will continue cooperating with EU authorities.
Ongoing scrutiny under digital laws
This investigation is part of a broader effort by the EU to hold major tech companies accountable under the Digital Services Act. The probe into Meta, launched in May 2024, focuses on whether the company is doing enough to protect minors and manage risks tied to its platforms.
Regulators found that children can still easily bypass age restrictions by entering false birthdates when signing up. They also criticized Meta’s reporting system, saying it is complicated and ineffective—requiring multiple steps just to flag an underage account.
In addition, the EU believes Meta has underestimated the risks young users face online, including exposure to harmful or age-inappropriate content. Data from across Europe suggests that as many as 10 to 12 percent of children under 13 may already be using these platforms.
Wider concerns about online safety
The EU’s focus isn’t limited to Meta. Authorities have also warned other platforms, including TikTok, about potentially addictive design features that could negatively impact younger users.
To strengthen protections, the EU is preparing to roll out a new age-verification app aimed at replacing simple click-through age confirmations. The goal is to create a more reliable system that prevents minors from accessing restricted content.
At the same time, regulators recently flagged several adult content platforms, including Pornhub, for failing to properly block underage access.
