The European Union is moving forward with plans to introduce new rules that would restrict access to social media platforms for children under the age of 15, with different rules depending on age. These proposed measures are part of a broader strategy to protect young users from potential harm online, including exposure to inappropriate content and cyberbullying. The policy would require social media companies operating within EU borders to implement age verification systems and limit features that could be harmful to children.
Under the proposed EU KIDS Act, children under 13 would not be allowed to use social media services. Children ages 13 and 14 could use parent-managed mini accounts with limited features and a maximum of one hour of use per day. Users could open their own social media accounts beginning at age 15.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the initiative is necessary to ensure digital safety for youth in an increasingly connected world. The Commission says platforms used by minors would have to make accounts private by default, restrict unsolicited contact from strangers and limit features such as infinite scrolling and nighttime push notifications. AI companions and chatbots would also be turned off by default for minors. The proposal would require age checks when new social media and video-sharing accounts are created.
The EU's approach to digital regulation has been gaining traction as more countries consider similar steps to protect children online, according to a report from The Japan Times. Some experts argue that such policies are essential in light of rising concerns about mental health and social media use among young people. Australia has already introduced restrictions and several other countries have considered similar measures.
However, the scientific debate is more complicated than saying social media is harmful to every child. A 2024 National Academies review found potential harms from some social media features but said the evidence did not support a finding that social media causes changes in adolescent health across the population. The report also noted benefits including social connection, community and opportunities for young people to find support. It said the effects can vary considerably from one young person to another.
There is also another side to the debate over age restrictions. Digital rights groups and technology industry representatives warn that age-verification systems can create privacy and data-security risks. European Digital Rights has argued that even privacy-focused age checks could normalize identity checks on the internet and create new risks for anonymous access.
The European Commission itself acknowledged in its impact assessment that age assurance can affect privacy, freedom of expression, participation and protection against discrimination. The Commission says its proposal limits those risks by requiring privacy-preserving systems and allowing independent services to confirm whether a user is above or below an age threshold without giving the social media company the person's identity.
There are also questions about whether age bans work. A European Parliament research briefing said early experience with Australia's restrictions showed that millions of underage accounts had been removed but many children continued to gain access. The briefing also said age-assurance technologies remain imperfect.
Some critics argue that lawmakers should focus more heavily on the technology companies rather than blocking young people from the internet. More than 130 organizations and experts recently called on the EU to require platforms to make their services safer instead of relying primarily on age bans, according to The Japan Times.
Others favor digital literacy, stronger parental involvement and enforcement of existing platform-safety laws. Those approaches could allow young people to keep access to educational material, communities and support networks while targeting features that are considered harmful. The National Academies has recommended greater transparency, digital-media literacy, research and changes to platform design rather than concluding that broad restrictions on youth access were supported by the available evidence.
The push for these regulations comes amid growing scrutiny of how tech companies collect and use data from minors. However, supporters believe that safeguarding children online is a priority that must be addressed through strong legal frameworks. The EU's approach has also sparked debate about how other nations might follow suit in regulating digital spaces for youth.
The proposed law also places much of the responsibility on the platforms. The Commission says companies would have to show that their services are safe for children rather than placing the entire burden on parents. Very large platforms would have to submit compliance plans before introducing some new services and features.
The KIDS Act is not yet law. It must be approved by the European Parliament and EU member states, and the proposal may change during negotiations. If adopted in its current form, very large platforms could face penalties of up to 6 percent of global annual revenue for violations.