Turn Off the Social Media Lights: Greens Demand Action Against Law Breakers on Social Media Platforms
Shut down social media accounts when faced with potential legal infringements - Social Media Shutdown: Suspension in Operation during Security Breaches
Social media sites that don't play by the rules of the European Union should face hefty repercussions, including a continent-wide shutdown, as per the Greens in the Lower Saxony state parliament. During a retreat in Brussels, the faction passed a position paper intended to serve as a digital communication guide, stressing the need for rules and consequences for offenders.
Green leader Detlev Schulz-Hendel expressed his view, stating, "Social media needs rule book instead of wild west outlaws." He went on to say, "For the sake of European democracy, we Greens demand transparency in algorithms, efficient handling of misinformation, and regulations for law violations."
Taking on Tech Giants Together
According to the faction leader, platforms dishonoring the European Union or member state authorities should be cut off. "If providers refuse to cooperate with the EU or its member states and deny assistance against cybercrimes and terror, they will face serious consequences - perhaps a complete blackout across the EU," said Schulz-Hendel.
Schulz-Hendel backs the strength of unity, claiming, "Together, we have the power to take on the tech titans, many of whom aim to evade government control."
The state government was less enthusiastic, viewing the Europe-wide shutdown as a "drastic ultimatum." A spokesperson added, "One must weigh whether such a move is feasible." Algorithms promoting hatred and incitement are a concern that the state government also acknowledges, but they believe a collective European response is necessary.
The Greens: A Safer Social MediaEra
The Greens advocate for public-service alternatives to commercial platforms that prioritize the common good, stating, "A discussion on whether social networks can also function as public services is worth exploring."
Regarding the use of social media by minors, the Greens back a minimum age of 14, and they suggest incorporating social media education into school curricula to help students understand its potential risks and benefits from an early age. However, the Greens reject a total ban on mobile phones in schools.
EU Regulations and Minors
The European Union is working to develop a unified, privacy-protective, and interoperable age verification system to enforce age restrictions on online content. There have been talks about setting an age of digital adulthood, requiring parental consent, and potentially restricting social media for children under a specific age (e.g., under 15 or 16).
Recently, the European Commission initiated proceedings against various platforms suspected of violating the Digital Services Act (DSA), a policy created to foster a safer online environment, particularly for minors. The upcoming regulations will require platforms to implement strong age verification methods to prevent access to age-restricted content.
- With the focus on transparency and safety, the Greens propose a comprehensive European policy to address social media law breakers, including expansive vocational training for enforcers to ensure algorithms are understandable and misinformation is efficiently handled.
- While encouraging public-service alternatives, the Greens maintain a firm stance, asserting that vocational training is essential for technicians and policymakers to effectively combat the unrestrained dominance of big tech players in the European digital landscape.
- The Greens also advocate for stricter EU policy-and-legislation, advocating for a unified, privacy-protective, and interoperable age verification system to enforce age restrictions on online content, which includes vocational training for administrators to implement strong age verification methods and protect minors from accessing age-restricted content.
