WhatsApp lowers minimum age in Europe and generates protests

Meta’s decision to lower the minimum age for WhatsApp users from 16 to 13 in the UK and European Union has sparked a series of protests. The measure was announced in February this year and came into force last Wednesday (10).

WhatsApp said the change comes to bring the age limit in line with that of most countries, such as Brazil and the United States. And he assured that there are resources to ensure the safety of younger users.

However, several organizations have strongly criticized the measure, highlighting a series of damages caused by exposure to social networks during childhood. Remembering that several studies indicate that this poses risks to children’s mental health.

Smartphone Free Childhood, for example, said the measure “counters the growing national demand for big tech to do more to protect our children.” Furthermore, he sharply criticized the fact that “tech giants put the profits of their shareholders first”.

The European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, has not yet officially commented on the issue. The information comes from CNN.

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Source: Olhar Digital