European parliament calls for social media ban on under

Children under 16 should be banned from using social media unless their parents decide otherwise, the European parliament says.

MEPs passed a resolution on age restrictions on Wednesday by a large majority. Although not legally binding, it raises pressure for European legislation amid growing alarm about the mental health risks to children of unfettered internet access.

The European Commission, which is responsible for initiating EU law, is already studying Australia’s world-first social-media ban for under-16s, which is due to take effect next month.

In a speech in September, the commission’s president, Ursula von der Leyen , said she would watch the implementation of Australia’s policy. She spoke out against “algorithms that prey on children’s vulnerabilities with the explicit p