The European Commission has proposed the KIDS Act to enhance protections for children in the digital space, layering new rules onto the already complex EU digital regulatory framework including the Digital Services Act.
- KIDS Act mandates safety-by-design for a broader range of digital services targeting minors
- It introduces enforceable rules on addictive design and interaction safeguards beyond the DSA
- The European Commission leads enforcement for major platforms under these rules
What happened
In September 2026, the European Commission unveiled the KIDS Act, a standalone regulation aimed at bolstering online safety for minors across the EU. This new law complements existing legislation, including the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the soon-to-be-introduced Digital Fairness Act (DFA), by addressing gaps in protections against harmful online practices.
Unlike the DSA, which covers obligations for platform providers to ensure privacy and security for minors, the KIDS Act expands the scope to include online games, AI chatbots, and application stores. It sets legally binding requirements for platforms to restrict addictive features, control interaction risks, and empower young users through age assurance and safer default settings.
Why it matters
The KIDS Act signals the EU’s intent to create a comprehensive child-safe digital environment by enforcing stricter safety-by-design principles and targeting emerging digital services with significant youth engagement. The Act builds on the DSA’s broad, flexible obligations by codifying specific prohibitions on features like autoplay, endless feeds, and intrusive notifications that encourage compulsive use.
With enforcement powers resting primarily with the European Commission for very large platforms, the legislation aims to ensure consistent application and accountability of major tech companies. Recent enforcement actions against Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, and others over child safety concerns demonstrate the increasing regulatory scrutiny that platforms face under the expanding European digital rulebook.
What to watch next
Stakeholders should monitor how the KIDS Act’s provisions interact with existing DSA guidelines and how regulators approach compliance enforcement, especially concerning age assurance mechanisms and platform design changes. The transition of safety measures from non-binding guidelines to mandatory rules will require significant operational adjustments for digital service providers.
The rollout of the KIDS Act also raises questions about the future harmonization of the EU’s digital regulations and efforts to balance child protection with innovation and user rights. Industry responses, legal challenges, and technological adaptations will shape how effectively the new framework protects minors while sustaining a thriving digital ecosystem.