In the ever-changing digital landscape, it is crucial to protect minors from inappropriate content on social media and video sharing platforms. It is with this in mind that the European Commission has opened an investigation into the measures put in place by TikTok and YouTube to ensure the safety and mental health of children.
The new EU Digital Services Act (DSA), which recently came into force, requires large digital platforms to take measures to protect minors. Therefore, the European Commission asked TikTok and YouTube to provide detailed information on the actions they have taken to comply with these obligations.
It is important to emphasize that this investigation is not an indictment, but a preliminary step in the procedure which could potentially lead to significant financial sanctions in the event of prolonged non-compliance with the regulations. Fines can go up to 6% of the global turnover of the companies concerned.
The protection of children is a top priority for the EU, and this is reflected in the thoroughness of this investigation. TikTok and YouTube must therefore provide the requested information by November 30, 2023, and the Commission will then evaluate the responses to determine the next steps to take.
It should be remembered that this investigation is part of a broader effort by the European Commission to ensure that large digital platforms comply with their legal obligations. In October, similar investigations were opened against TikTok, X (formerly Twitter) and Meta (parent company of Facebook and Instagram) concerning the fight against false information and violent content. In addition, an investigation is also underway targeting the Chinese online sales site AliExpress for the alleged distribution of illegal products.
The DSA legislation tightened rules for the 19 largest Internet companies. These rules include provisions aimed at protecting minors online, including limiting their exposure to inappropriate content and establishing rapid reporting and removal mechanisms.
Ultimately, it is essential that digital platforms take responsibility and fully commit to the protection of minors. The results of this investigation will help determine whether TikTok and YouTube have taken adequate measures to ensure the safety and well-being of children on their platforms. Raising awareness of this issue is essential to preserving the integrity of digital environments and providing parents and young users with peace of mind.