Mikkel Christensen
Concerns are growing over how social media platforms protect younger users.
Regulators are increasingly questioning whether current safeguards are effective.
Concerns are growing over how social media platforms protect younger users.
Regulators are increasingly questioning whether current safeguards are effective.
A new EU investigation is putting fresh pressure on Meta’s handling of age limits.
The findings suggest its systems may not be doing enough to keep children off its platforms.
Underage access
According to MereMobil, the European Commission has concluded that Meta is not doing enough to keep children under 13 off Facebook and Instagram.
Despite official rules, the report estimates that around 10–12% of children in the EU are still using the platforms, highlighting a gap between policy and enforcement.
Easy entry
Regulators say the system is too easy to bypass.
Children can reportedly gain access simply by entering a false birth date, raising concerns about how effective current safeguards really are.
Hard to report
At the same time, removing underage users appears unnecessarily complicated.
MereMobil reports that it can take several steps—up to seven clicks—just to find the form needed to report a child’s account.
Scientific concerns
The Commission also argues that Meta is not doing enough to act on research into the risks for younger users.
Studies cited by regulators show children are more vulnerable to harmful content and online pressure, a concern reflected in the EU’s Digital Services Act rules.
Meta responds
Meta has rejected the criticism.
A spokesperson said the company is already investing heavily in systems designed to detect and remove underage users, adding that new tools will be introduced soon.
Danish solution
Meanwhile, Denmark is preparing a new approach to age verification.
According to MereMobil, the upcoming AltID app will allow users to confirm their age without sharing sensitive personal data, aligning with broader EU efforts to strengthen digital identity systems.
Wider context
The case falls under the EU’s Digital Services Act, which requires platforms to better protect minors online.
The European Commission has previously signalled that enforcement of these rules will be a priority, particularly for large platforms like Meta.
What’s next
The EU’s findings are preliminary, meaning Meta still has time to respond before a final ruling is made.
If violations are confirmed, the company could face significant fines or stricter regulatory oversight.
Sources: MereMobil, EU Digital Services Act documentation
