The European Union has proposed new regulations aimed at restricting social media access for minors, including a ban on children under the age of 13 and limited, supervised accounts for those aged 13 to 15. The initiative, known as the Kids Act, was unveiled on September 16 and 17 by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and digital policy chief Henna Virkkunen in Strasbourg, France.
Under the proposed rules, children under 13 would be prohibited from using social media platforms. Those between 13 and 15 could access "mini accounts" that parents or guardians must set up and oversee, with limited features and a daily screen time cap of one hour. From age 15 to 18, minors could have their own accounts but platforms would be required to ensure “safe design” and implement protections against harmful content and addictive features. The legislation would extend beyond social media to include video-sharing platforms, online games, and AI chatbots.
A key element of the proposal is the introduction of mandatory age verification tools, which social media and video-sharing services would need to use to prevent underage users from opening unauthorized personal accounts. Providers would be required to estimate users’ ages based on factors such as account creation dates or payment information. Companies failing to comply could face fines up to 6% of their annual global turnover.
Von der Leyen emphasized the urgency of the measures, citing growing evidence of the negative impacts that social media and addictive design have on children’s mental and physical health. She referred to a recent case of a 14-year-old Belgian girl who died by suicide after being bullied online, underscoring the human cost of insufficient regulation. “It is time for Europe to act,” she said. “Platform providers will have to prove that they are safe.”
The draft law also targets features commonly criticized for their addictive qualities, such as infinite scrolling, and mandates that minors’ profiles be private by default, with sensitive features like geolocation disabled. In addition, AI companions and chatbots would not be permitted to simulate personal relationships that could foster emotional dependency in children.
Responses from digital rights and advocacy groups have been largely supportive, though some have noted the challenges ahead. Leanda Barrington-Leach of the 5Rights Foundation called the proposal a significant step but cautioned that its effectiveness will depend on details and enforcement. Likewise, Simone de Brouwer of the European Digital Rights group highlighted the need for broader platform safety, warning that harms do not simply disappear as users mature.
Some privacy advocates have expressed concerns about the proposed age verification methods, warning that they may raise data protection issues if not implemented carefully. European consumer organization BEUC pointed out that age verification is not a standalone solution and must be balanced against user privacy.
The European Commission’s plan follows similar moves by countries such as Australia, which banned social media use for under-16s in 2025, and aligns with growing pressure within several EU member states including France, Denmark, and Poland to impose stricter controls on youth access to online platforms.
The Kids Act will require approval through negotiations among the European Parliament and member states before it can become law, a process expected to take several months. Meanwhile, the EU continues to build on its existing regulatory framework, including the Digital Services Act, in efforts to hold technology companies accountable for online harms.