The European Commission has proposed an EU-wide framework intended to change how children gain access to social media and other online services, combining age-based restrictions with new safety obligations for platforms used by minors.
Under the proposed EU Kids Act, children under 13 would not be allowed to access social media services, while those aged 13 to under 15 could use social media through a parent-managed mini account with limited features and a daily time restriction of one hour. From age 15, young people would be able to manage their own accounts.
The rules would extend beyond conventional social networks to online services used by minors, including video-sharing platforms, online games, AI companions and chatbots, which would be switched off by default for minors.
The proposal also introduces safety-by-design requirements limiting features that encourage excessive use, including infinite scrolling and push notifications during sleeping hours, while requiring privacy-preserving age checks for new accounts.
The proposed legislation will now be examined by the European Parliament and the Council before a final text can become law.