European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will present a draft law introducing age-based limits on social media, gaming, and AI chatbot access for children under 15, including parental controls and bans on addictive platform features.
- New EU law would restrict social media, gaming, and chatbot access for under-15s
- Tiered access system includes parental controls and bans on addictive features
- Non-compliant platforms face fines up to 6% of annual revenue
What happened
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, is set to unveil new regulatory proposals designed to protect children under 15 from exposure to potentially harmful online content and addictive platform designs. The proposed rules include strict limits on access to social media, video-sharing platforms, games, and AI chatbots, with a tiered system tailored to different age groups. Children under three would have no access, while those between three and 13 could only use fully parent-controlled, child-friendly services.
For teenagers aged 13 and 14, the draft legislation allows for 'introductory' accounts with limited features and strict screen time caps under parental supervision. Those aged 15 and above would be permitted to open their own accounts. The rules aim to curb manipulative design elements such as infinite scrolling that encourage excessive use. Non-compliance by platforms could lead to severe fines reaching up to six percent of their global turnover.
Why it matters
This initiative responds to mounting evidence linking social media and gaming platforms to negative impacts on children's physical and mental health. The EU’s move follows similar actions globally, including Australia's ban on social media usage for under-16s. With child mental health concerns rising, the legislation seeks to set a new global standard for online child protection through enforceable rules rather than voluntary guidelines.
However, the policy faces criticism from digital rights advocates and some consumer groups concerned about privacy issues related to mandatory age verification tools. There is also debate over whether restricting access delays inevitable exposure instead of addressing harmful platform designs directly. Policymakers must balance children's safety with rights to expression and data protection in a complex digital environment.
What to watch next
The formal presentation of the 'EU KIDS Act' will take place in Strasbourg, with subsequent debates and revisions expected as member states and stakeholders weigh in. France, Denmark, and Greece have already pushed for stringent regulations, but legal challenges remain possible, as seen with France’s earlier social media ban attempt struck down on free expression grounds.
Industry reactions and the implementation of the proposed age verification mechanisms will be closely monitored, alongside the EU’s broader efforts under the Digital Services Act to curb addictive platform designs. The final shape of the legislation, enforcement strategies, and the global influence of the EU’s approach on other jurisdictions like Canada and India will be key indicators of its long-term impact.