Meta, the parent company of popular social media platform WhatsApp, has stirred controversy by revising its minimum age requirement for users in Europe. The age limit, which was previously set at 16, has now been lowered to 13, eliciting concerns from advocates for children’s rights.
This alteration, effective as of Thursday in the European Union, mirrors a similar adjustment announced earlier in the United Kingdom in February. Meta, which acquired WhatsApp ten years ago, asserts on its official website that this change aims to establish a consistent minimum age standard for WhatsApp users worldwide.
Despite Meta’s rationale, the decision to lower the age threshold has faced backlash from children’s rights advocates, particularly in the UK. Critics argue that this move exposes young individuals to a variety of well-documented risks associated with online platforms. Smartphone Free Childhood, a UK-based advocacy group, condemned Meta’s decision, emphasizing the prioritization of shareholder profits over children’s safety.
Daisy Greenwell, co-founder of Smartphone Free Childhood, criticized the decision as “completely tone-deaf,” highlighting the growing concerns voiced by various experts regarding the adverse effects of social media on children’s well-being. Vicky Ford, a member of the UK Parliament and advocate for education, labeled Meta’s action as “irresponsible,” emphasizing the necessity of consulting parents before implementing such changes.
In response to the criticism, a spokesperson for WhatsApp emphasized the platform’s user controls, including options to regulate group participation and block unknown contacts. However, the European Commission, the executive body of the EU, has yet to comment on the matter.
Meta’s decision to lower age restrictions is not an isolated incident. The company has faced previous criticism, particularly in the United States, for its efforts to reduce age restrictions across its platforms. Last year, Meta announced plans to lower the minimum age for its virtual reality app, despite objections from lawmakers.
Furthermore, Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has faced scrutiny for reportedly impeding initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of teenagers on Facebook and Instagram. Internal communications revealed instances where Zuckerberg overruled senior executives advocating for greater protections for adolescents.
In an unrelated development, Meta announced its testing of features designed to safeguard young users from “sextortion” and “intimate image abuse.” These measures aim to combat predators who exploit teenagers by deceiving them into sharing explicit content, subsequently threatening exposure unless a ransom is paid.
Meta’s decision to lower the minimum age for WhatsApp users in Europe has reignited debates surrounding online safety and children’s rights. Critics argue that such measures prioritize profit over the well-being of young users, prompting calls for greater accountability and responsibility in the tech industry.
