The technology giant has already promised to do this in some US states.
Last month, under a historic peace agreement in court, Meta agreed to pay a coalition of US states $16.7 billion (€14.4 billion) and introduce new strict restrictions on how teenagers use the Facebook and Instagram platforms, including automatic blocking during the night.
27 EU countries sought similar changes and in July instructed Meta to change the “addictive design,” based on findings that the company at the time said it disagreed with.
Now, in a letter dated Wednesday from French MEP Stephanie Yon-Courtin, signed by 51 other Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from various political groups, Brussels is urged to act quickly and force Meta to take action.
“European children deserve no less than Americans,” the letter states. “Therefore, it would be unjustifiable if European minors remained less protected when our system is the strictest in the world.”
Lawmakers said the European Commission, the EU’s digital space regulator, should “without further delay” complete the Meta investigation, make a decision on non-compliance, and impose fines.
“And if commitments are made (…), they must in no way be less than what Meta has just provided to users in the US,” the MEPs said in a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
They also suggested that the EU should be prepared, if necessary, to request a court to temporarily block access to the platforms “when other powers have been exhausted and the violation continues and causes significant harm.”
Lawmakers said this measure “is not intended to censor the service or ban social networks, but to stop throwing threats that no one believes.”
Read more Threatening a drone incident in Germany, the UK summoned a senior Russian diplomat
In their opinion, the technology giant can simply “write off” fines, but “a court-ordered shutdown affects the business model itself.”
Lawmakers accused U. von der Leyen of failing to fulfill the political promise to make online spaces safer for children.
“Will the protection of minors online still be among your priorities?” they wrote. “The Commission talks but does nothing.”
The EU launched the Meta investigation in 2024 under the Digital Services Act (DSA) – a content law that has been strongly criticized by the US.
This law is an important weapon in the strengthened EU legal arsenal agreed upon in recent years to rein in big tech companies.
The EU is expected to announce some form of social network ban for children later this month, although all details are not yet known.
Read more Minister: when talking about the introduction of universal conscription, our aspirations are quality
