EU is set to propose ban on social media and AI chatbots for under-15s
The draft would require age checks, parental controls and safer defaults, and could fine noncompliant platforms up to 6% of global annual revenue.
- On Thursday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will present the draft 'EU Kids Act', establishing 15 as the minimum age for autonomous social media accounts across the 27-country bloc.
- The tiered system mandates parental-controlled accounts for children aged 3 to 12, while those aged 13 to 14 require introductory accounts with limited features and strict time limits under parental supervision.
- Platforms must implement 'safe by design' standards, banning addictive features like infinite scrolling and artificial notifications. Age verification upon account creation is also required to ensure compliance with safety obligations.
- Tech companies face potential fines of up to 6% of annual sales for non-compliance. They must also pay a supervisory fee to fund regulatory enforcement under the proposed Kids Act.
- Ratification by EU bodies and member states could take months before the proposal becomes law. The new framework must coexist alongside national rules including France's ban and existing Digital Services Act regulations.
534 Articles
534 Articles
The government's plans to introduce age verification for social media platforms and porn sites have been crossed by the EU. The Commission has its own proposal.
EU Kids Act Proposal Would Require Age Checks, Raising ID Concerns for Adults
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the EU Kids Act in her State of the European Union address in Strasbourg on Sept. 16. The proposal would prohibit social media use for children under 13 and require limited accounts for 13- and 14-year-olds, with parental setup and a one-hour daily time limit. Enforcement of the age limits could require age verification, a step that may lead adults to prove their age or show ID online,…
EU's Bold Bid to Shield Children From Social Media Addiction
The European Commission proposed the EU KIDS Act this week, banning social media for children under 13 and limiting 13-14 year olds to parent-supervised mini accounts with strict one-hour daily caps. Platforms must prove services are safe by design or face steep fines. The measure aims to curb addictive features across social apps, games and AI tools while harmonizing rules across the bloc.
Europe Proposes a New Test for Big Tech: Prove Children Are Safe by Design
Europe wants child safety built into digital platforms and the biggest providers to prove it. The proposed EU KIDS Act would combine a minimum age of 15 for independent social media accounts with curbs on addictive features and AI companions that create emotional dependency, putting platform design at the heart of online child protection.
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