The decision aims to ensure consistent protection for minors across the European Union’s 27 member states and prevent conflicting national regulations, Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier told reporters in Brussels on Thursday, Anadolu Agency reported.
“We have a very clear proposal that we have put on the table, whereby we’re introducing a gradual approach and safety by design obligations for all online services,” Regnier said, referring to the proposed European Union Kids Act.
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He said the commission had decided to delay national draft laws that overlap with the planned bloc-wide framework for 12 months to avoid a fragmented regulatory environment.
Different national age limits and compliance requirements could make it more difficult for online platforms to operate across the EU, Regnier said, stressing the need for common standards.
“Our proposal harmonizes the rules to make sure that all children across the EU receive equal levels of protection, because a European problem requires a united European response,” he added.
Asked whether the decision would affect other member states that had notified the commission of their proposed legislation, Regnier said discussions were ongoing but reiterated the commission’s opposition to regulatory fragmentation.
He noted that national initiatives differed in their legal and procedural status, citing France and Greece as examples.
Both countries notified the commission of their legislation before it presented its own proposal, and the relevant standstill periods had already expired. Their cases therefore differ from Austria’s and those of other member states that submitted notifications later.
Last month, the European Commission proposed a gradual approach to restricting children’s access to social media under its planned EU-wide framework. The proposal includes a ban for children under 13 and limited access for those under 15 with parental supervision.
The initiative seeks to establish common safeguards for minors across the bloc while reducing differences between national regulations governing children’s use of online platforms.
