The European Union is facing mounting calls to put children's well-being at the heart of its digital policies, as a coalition of more than 140 rights groups and experts pushes for stronger safeguards across online services.
"Europeans have had enough of tech companies exploiting our children, but we also expect more from our leaders than quick-fix bans on kids, while toxic services continue to thrive,” said Leanda Barrington-Leach, executive director of 5Rights Foundation, which organized the statement Tuesday.
The 144 signatories urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to turn recommendations from the Commission’s expert panel on child safety online into EU law, according to the statement.
They said technology providers, rather than children or parents, should bear the burden of proving that services accessible to children are safe.
"Children need and deserve safe, age-appropriate digital services. The EU has the power to set a bar and require tech companies to prove they meet it before accessing children,” said Barrington-Leach.
