Key facts
- The EU will propose new rules to restrict minors' access to social media and video-sharing platforms before the age of 15.
- A proposed "EU KIDS Act" would set age restrictions for social media, video-sharing platforms, online games, and AI chatbots.
- Children under 13 could have accounts opened by parents that are fully controlled by guardians and meet strict safety standards.
- Between 13 and 15, introductory accounts with limits on contact with strangers, parental controls, and screen time limits are proposed.
- After 15, teenagers would be able to set up their own accounts.
- The proposal includes new enforcement architecture similar to the Digital Services Act and the Artificial Intelligence Act.
The European Commission is set to unveil new legislation, the "EU KIDS Act," aimed at restricting minors' access to social media, video-sharing platforms, online games, and AI companions. The proposal, expected on Thursday, seeks to establish a tiered system for minors' online engagement, with different access levels based on age and parental supervision.
Under the proposed rules, children under 13 would require parental consent for accounts that are fully controlled by guardians and adhere to strict safety standards. For those aged 13 to 15, introductory accounts with limitations on stranger contact, screen time, and enhanced parental controls are envisioned. Teenagers aged 15 and above would be permitted to create their own accounts.
The legislation also mandates age verification technology for platforms to confirm user ages. Enforcement will mirror the structures of the Digital Services Act and the Artificial Intelligence Act, with supervisory fees imposed on companies. This initiative reflects growing concerns among health experts, politicians, and parents regarding the impact of social media on the mental health of young people, with several EU member states already considering or implementing national-level restrictions.