Full Breakdown
EU Kids Act: Tiered Access Rules Targeting Children’s Use of Social Media, Gaming and AI
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 17 2026 the European Commission formally adopted the draft “EU Kids Act” (EU Keeping Internet Digital Spaces Accountable and Trustworthy Act). The proposal sets a bloc-wide minimum age of 13 for any social-media or video-sharing account, requires parental-supervised “mini-accounts” for users aged 13-14, and bars independent accounts until the age of 15. It also extends safety-by-design obligations to online games, AI companions and chatbots, and mandates the use of EU-approved age-assurance tools. Non-compliance could trigger fines of up to 6 % of a company’s worldwide annual turnover.
Background & Context
The initiative follows years of debate over fragmented national rules and mounting evidence of digital harms to minors. In September 10 2025 Commission President Ursula von der Leyen cited Australia’s under-16 ban and announced an expert panel on child-online safety. The Special Panel on Child Safety Online released its report on July 13 2026, recommending a phased “digital age ladder” that limits screen time, bans addictive design, and includes games and AI services. The European Parliament’s November 26 2025 resolution called for a EU-wide minimum age of 16, while several member states have introduced or are consulting on national bans ranging from 13 to 16.
Timeline
- September 10 2025 – von der Leyen announces expert panel.
- July 13 2026 – Special Panel publishes recommendations.
- September 16 2026 – von der Leyen presents the EU Kids Act.
- September 17 2026 – Commission adopts the draft proposal.
Data & Statistics
- The EU population is roughly 450 million; the act would affect more users than any prior national age-restriction law.
- Fines can reach 6 % of global annual turnover, with a supervisory fee of 0.03 % of worldwide sales for enforcement costs.
- The proposal limits screen time for 13-14-year-olds to one hour per day and bans push notifications during sleeping hours, infinite scrolling, reward-based “streaks” and algorithmic “rabbit-hole” feeds.
Official Statements & Responses
The Commission frames the act as a shift of the burden of proof: platforms must demonstrate that services are “safe by design” before minors can access them. Age-verification tools will not retain biometric data, preserving privacy. Member states will coordinate the rollout of the EU age-verification app, and the Digital Services Act will provide the enforcement backbone, including a fast-track 90-day investigation procedure.
Criticism & Opposition
Bernhard Rohleder, CEO of Germany’s IT industry association BITKOM, warned that “age verification remains a technical challenge, and parallel regulation to existing laws like the Digital Services Act is problematic and unnecessary.” Industry groups argue that duplicative legislation could increase compliance costs and create privacy risks without clear evidence of effectiveness.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Most sources state that independent accounts become permissible at 15 years, but the European Parliament’s November 26 2025 resolution advocated a 16-year threshold, and some leaked drafts left the age blank. Precise technical standards for “safe-by-design” features (e.g., how “infinite scroll” is defined) have not been detailed, leaving platforms uncertain about compliance pathways.
What’s Next
The draft must now pass the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. Negotiations are expected to address the age-threshold dispute, the scope of services covered, and enforcement mechanisms. Member states will also need to implement the EU age-verification app or compatible national solutions by the end of 2026.