Protection of children from addiction to social networks

Question for written answer E-001935/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Dimitris Tsiodras (PPE)

According to a recent WHO report,[1] 11 % of adolescents 'showed signs of problematic social media behaviour, struggling to control their use'. Scientific studies have also linked prolonged and excessive social media use to sleep disturbances and, therefore, to consequences for children's mental and physical development, as well as to depression, bullying and increased anxiety. It may be that digital platforms and social media are designed to reinforce children's addiction through their design, operation and/or use.

In view of this:

• 1.Following on from the Digital Services Act,[2] what does the Commission plan to do to address addiction to social media among children as a consequence of their design, operation and/or use?
• 2.How does it plan to help the Member States provide comprehensive and up-to-date digital literacy programmes?

Submitted: 3.10.2024

• [1] Teens, screens and mental health, https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/25-09-2024-teens--screens-and-mental-health.
• [2] Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act).