Meloni states that kids can easily circumvent social media bans.

      Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated on Wednesday that her government will not proactively pursue a social media ban for minors, differing from the approaches of Britain and France. "While I don't oppose a ban on social media for those under 16, I am not convinced that this measure alone will resolve the issue, as such a ban can be easily bypassed," she explained to reporters after the G7 summit held in Évian-les-Bains.

      Her remarks position Italy as a notable outlier among significant European nations regarding bans based on age, which have become the standard policy response in light of rising concerns about children's mental health and online safety.

      Meloni contended that such bans may "partially transfer the issue to families" and noted that without increased pressure on platforms to fulfill their responsibilities, the restrictions will not be effective. This perspective shifts the discussion from regulating children's access to advocating for fundamental changes from the companies benefiting from user engagement.

      While maintaining that she does not oppose a ban for those under 16 in principle, Meloni indicated that her administration has chosen not to introduce a decree or bill, allowing lawmakers in parliament to take the lead on the matter. Various Italian political parties have proposed bills to limit minors’ access to social media, but none have been passed.

      A swift movement in Europe to impose restrictions has taken place. Earlier this week, Britain announced it would prohibit social media use for those under 16, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer aiming to have this legislation in place by Christmas and enforced by early 2027. These restrictions are expected to include not only traditional platforms but also gaming applications and AI chatbots, marking the broadest scope yet suggested by a major democracy.

      France plans to implement a ban for those under 15 later this year, with enforcement starting in September. Canada has also acted to limit access for those under 16, with its Digital Safety Act addressing both social media and AI chatbots.

      However, initial indications from Australia, which enacted an under-16 ban in December, show that enforcement is more challenging than passing laws. The Australian government has accused Meta, TikTok, and YouTube of non-compliance, reinforcing Meloni's argument that bans lacking platform cooperation are ineffective.

      During the G7 meeting, leaders, including US President Donald Trump, approved a declaration focused on protecting children online, which does not mention a ban on social media access. The US had earlier voiced concerns regarding the British ban, cautioning against one-size-fits-all solutions.

      The declaration advocates for safety-by-design principles, age-appropriate recommendation systems, and actions against AI-generated child sexual abuse material. It aligns more closely with the EU’s Digital Services Act, which imposes content moderation and transparency responsibilities on platforms, rather than the outright bans favored by London and Paris.