EU Kids Act proposal targets under-13 social-media access

EU Kids Act proposal targets under-13 social-media access
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed an EU Kids Act that would prohibit social-media access for children under 13 and introduce restricted accounts for users aged 13 to 15. The proposal has been presented as a broad child-safety measure rather than a rule aimed at one company or service.

Under the plan outlined by von der Leyen, there would be “no social media before the age of 13 and no personal accounts before the age of 15.” Teenagers between 13 and 15 would instead receive parent-installed and supervised “mini-accounts,” with limited functions and capped screen time. For those aged 15 to 18, platforms would be required to use safer product design.

The two accounts of the announcement share the central point: the Commission is seeking a common EU standard that would move beyond voluntary platform safeguards. The fuller account stresses that the restrictions could apply not only to social networks, but also to AI assistants, chatbots and online games.

It also describes substantial obligations for providers that remain available to minors. Platforms could be required to remove features considered especially habit-forming, including infinite scrolling and highly personalised recommendations, and to systematically verify the ages of new users. Non-compliance could bring fines of up to 6% of global turnover.

The proposal is based on recommendations from child-protection specialists, scientists and child psychiatrists, according to the report. But it is not yet law: the European Parliament and all 27 EU member states would need to approve it. That legislative hurdle will determine whether the Commission’s proposed age limits become enforceable across the bloc.

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