EU Proposes “Kids Act” to Ban Social-Media Access for Children Under 13

On September 16, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a draft “EU Kids Act” that would prohibit anyone younger than 13 from creating accounts on social-media platforms, video-sharing services, online games and AI chatbots across the 27-nation bloc. Children aged 13-14 would be allowed only “mini accounts” set up and supervised by a parent or guardian, with a hard cap of one hour of daily use and restrictions on contacting strangers. From age 15 onward, platforms would be required to implement a “safe-design” obligation for all users up to 18 years old. The proposal shifts the burden of proof onto platforms to demonstrate that their services are safe for minors.

European Union Unveils EU Kids Act to Ban Social Media Access for Children Under 13 EU plans social-media ban for under-13s European Union Unveils Sweeping Law to Ban Social Media For Children Under 15

The EU has used its regulatory powers to reshape the tech industry, compelling changes to app-store policies, search algorithms and data-privacy practices. The “Kids Act” follows international measures aimed at protecting young people online, including bans for under-16s in Australia and similar restrictions in Spain, Portugal, Brazil and Canada. France’s top court recently struck down a national law banning social media for under-15s, underscoring the legal complexity of age-based bans within the bloc.

Silicon Republic

• The European Union comprises 27 member states and a population of roughly 450 million people.

New York Times

• Proposed fines for non-compliance could reach up to 6 percent of a platform’s annual turnover.

European Union Unveils EU Kids Act to Ban Social Media Access for Children Under 13

• “Mini accounts” would limit screen time to one hour per day for users aged 13-14.

European Union Unveils EU Kids Act to Ban Social Media Access for Children Under 13

• The draft also calls for the removal of “infinite scrolling” and other addictive design features for children.

The Straits Times

Von der Leyen framed the plan as a response to growing evidence of mental-health harms linked to “addictive features” and AI-generated sexualised images of minors. She emphasized that the regulation is about controlling how platforms reach minors, not about outright restriction.

EU plans social media ban for under-13s, limited access until 15

German MEP Manfred Weber, head of the European Parliament’s largest group, suggested the EU follow Australia’s model of allowing users to switch off algorithmic feeds.

The Local (Italy)

• France’s highest court recently invalidated a national law banning social media for under-15s, creating uncertainty about how the EU-wide ban will be reconciled with national constitutional protections.

The Local (Italy)

• While the draft bans “infinite scrolling” for children, it does not specify how platforms must technically implement the restriction, leaving enforcement details unclear.

European Union Unveils EU Kids Act to Ban Social Media Access for Children Under 13

• The proposal’s impact on existing platform-wide safety measures, such as those introduced under the Digital Services Act, remains to be clarified.

European Union Unveils EU Kids Act to Ban Social Media Access for Children Under 13

The commission president and tech chief Henna Virkkunen are scheduled to present the full “Kids Act” text on September 17 in Strasbourg. After formal presentation, the proposal must be debated and approved by EU member-state governments and the European Parliament, a process that could take several months before the rules become law.

EU plans social media ban for under-13s, limited access until 15