TikTok, Meta, Snap and YouTube Have Three Weeks To Detail Child-Protection Measures for EU Authorities

The European Union has given four Big Tech companies three weeks to submit additional information on how they protect children from harmful content. 

Regulators have given YouTube and TikTok a Nov. 30 deadline, while Meta Platforms and Snap have until Dec. 1, the European Commission said in two updates on Thursday and Friday.

The EU is seeking details on how these platforms protect children and whether their practices comply with Europe’s new Digital Services Act. Authorities want to assess what the companies have done to mitigate social media’s mental and physical health risks posed to children.

After the companies make their submissions, they could face a formal investigation if the EU is unsatisfied with their moderation efforts.

Broadly, the Digital Services Act, which went into effect in August, is an effort by the EU to require companies to remove more harmful content and gives regulators the ability to levy substantial fines — as much as 6% of a company’s total revenue.

The EU’s focus on content moderation involving children comes as the Israel-Hamas has led to a rise in new harmful and inappropriate content, including WhatsApp stickers depicting Palestinian children with guns and other pro-Israel military ads that have appeared in children's games. And, within the U.S., dozens of state attorneys general are suing Meta for allegedly escalating mental health challenges for children and young adults.