Questions from the European Commission are focusing on how major tech platforms protect the mental and physical well being of minors who use social media. The inquiry targets Snapchat, owned by Snap, and Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The goal is to understand the concrete steps these platforms take to shield younger users from potential harm in digital spaces.
The questions were sent as a formal information request under the European Union Digital Services Act, a rule that became active this summer. The law obliges online platforms to remove illegal content and to strengthen safeguards for children and teenagers who interact online.
The European Commission stated that it asked Meta and Snap to explain how they plan to meet the obligations to protect minors set out by the Digital Services Act. The inquiry seeks details on how each company conducts risk assessments and what measures they intend to implement to safeguard minors in online environments, including mental health and physical safety concerns.
The Community Manager has given the companies a deadline of December 1 to provide their responses. After reviewing the information, the Commission will determine the next steps and may require additional clarification if the responses appear unconvincing. An adaptation procedure could be opened if necessary to ensure compliance.
The Commission also warned that providing incomplete, false, or misleading information could lead to financial penalties. This underscores the seriousness with which Brussels treats the protection of young users and the accountability of major platforms operating in the EU market.
This is the second formal clarification request to Meta in less than a month. In mid October, a separate information request was sent to Meta regarding the spread of violent and terrorist content as well as disinformation related to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Commission has indicated that it monitors a broad range of safety and information integrity issues on large platforms.
Since the Digital Services Act came into force, Meta has been included in the group of 19 major platforms and search engines subject to stricter EU obligations. The list includes well known names such as Google, TikTok and X, formerly known as Twitter, and the Commission has signaled that all these entities must adjust their activities to comply with the new EU rules.
Industry observers note that the Digital Services Act represents a shift in how online services are regulated within the European Union. The law emphasizes transparency, accountability, and the protection of vulnerable users, with a particular emphasis on children and adolescents who spend time on social media and online services. The European Commission has framed this as a commitment to a safer online ecosystem while balancing innovation and freedom of expression for service providers and users alike.
Analysts suggest that the current inquiries could set important precedents for how large platforms manage risk, report on safety measures, and engage with regulatory authorities across different jurisdictions. The outcome of this process will likely influence future compliance reporting, user safety initiatives, and the development of age-appropriate safeguards across social networks and digital services used by millions in Europe and beyond.
Overall, the Commission’s action reflects a broader regulatory push to ensure that dominant platforms operate with enhanced responsibility. By demanding formal explanations, risk assessments, and concrete protective measures, Brussels seeks to create clearer expectations for platform conduct regarding minor users and to encourage ongoing improvements in digital safety strategies across the tech sector.