Danish Social Democrat Christel Schaldemose hopes on Wednesday to receive support from a strong majority in the EU Parliament in Strasbourg behind the demand for a 16-year age limit for social media - albeit with the possibility for parents to approve starting from the age of 13.
One who is keeping his fingers crossed is Swedish member Adnan Dibrani (S).
I am very happy right now – both as a parent and as a parliamentarian. We see that many children are being harmed. We need to do something to protect our children. It cannot be that the tech giants set the rules and that the tech giants' profits come before the children, says Dibrani before the vote.
Denmark on the move
Admittedly, it is still just a request. What is to be voted on is not a sharp proposal, but simply a call for the European Commission to act.
Dibrani and the other supporters are nevertheless optimistic that everything will still end up in a proper legislative proposal at the EU level.
For now, Denmark, among others, has taken the lead and has already promised a change in its law, with an age limit of 15 years.
However, not everyone is convinced of the benefits of an EU-set age limit.
The Swedish M members are leaning towards abstaining from the vote.
I think politicians are making it a little too easy for themselves if they think that "now we're introducing an age limit, and so we've solved this problem of us having problems with what's happening on social media," says Tomas Tobé (M).
Concerns about technology
SD is considering a no.
"We don't like ID requirements at all at the EU level. I don't want my children to be on the wrong social media, but there is a downside that is worth considering," says Charlie Weimers (SD).
There are also questions about how an age limit will be controlled in practical terms. However, Adnan Dibrani is confident that a solution will be found.
At home we have Bank-id which more and more children are using, but it could be something completely different. I trust that the technology will be there, says Dibrani ahead of the vote in Strasbourg.
