European Commission Unveils EU Kids Act to Ban Social Media for Under-13s and Limit App Access

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced a major legislative proposal aimed at safeguarding children online across all EU member states.

The proposed EU Kids Act introduces strict age-based boundaries for digital platforms, prohibiting children under the age of 13 from using social media and placing young teenagers under parental management.

The regulatory framework establishes distinct access tiers based on age:

"No social media under the age of 13. No personal account under the age of 15."

For children aged 13 and 14, access would be restricted to parentally supervised "mini accounts" capped at a maximum of one hour of daily screen time. Only teenagers aged 15 and above would be permitted to create independent, unlinked accounts.

The proposed boundaries extend beyond traditional platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat to include video-sharing services such as YouTube, online gaming networks, and interactive AI chatbots.

Addressing the European Parliament, von der Leyen stressed that platforms were not built with adolescent development in mind:

"Today, our children are engaging with some of the most sophisticated technology ever created, and it was not created with children's well-being and development in mind."

She added that the policy aims to give families "the tools to help their children navigate a safer world" while tackling digital risks:

"Too many children are being exposed too early to an online world they are not ready to navigate - an environment where bullying can follow you home, where every mistake can be recorded forever."

The EU Kids Act shifts the burden of proof directly onto tech companies, requiring them to demonstrate that their services are safe for minors. Platforms must build features around mandatory "safety by design" standards for all users under 18.

Key requirements for platforms include:

• Disabling addictive design patterns like infinite scroll, autoplay, and reward tricks.
• Removing profiling-driven recommendation feeds.
• Blocking unsolicited contact from strangers.
• Turning off AI companions and chatbots by default.
• Providing accessible muting, blocking, and parental monitoring features.

To enforce these safety standards, companies will be required to submit detailed protection plans and pay a supervisory fee to fund regulatory oversight. Non-compliant firms face fines of up to 6% of their global annual turnover.

However, von der Leyen noted that setting age requirements does not relieve companies of content oversight:

"an age limit does not mean letting tech companies off the hook for the content on the platform".

She also said that "For every person under 18, the platforms must follow the principle of safety by design, no toxic or addictive features, no traps, etc,".

The legislation must be negotiated and formally approved by both the European Parliament and individual EU member states before becoming law. If passed, the regulation will be legally binding across the entire bloc, superseding national laws.

The proposal arrives as individual countries pursue their own digital restrictions. France previously passed a ban for under-15s that was struck down by its top court over free speech concerns, prompting ministers to adjust their approach. Other nations, including Spain, Denmark, and Sweden, are also advancing age-based limits.

International precedents show mixed enforcement outcomes. Australia banned social media platforms for under-16s, but officials admit enforcement has proven difficult, with many minors remaining active on apps. Similar UK restrictions are set to take effect next spring.

Tech industry representatives have raised concerns regarding data handling. Daniel Friedlaender, head of tech lobbying group CCIA Europe, stated:

"Collecting age information, identity credentials, and data linking children with parents or guardians at this scale would undoubtedly create an attractive target for cybercriminals. The Kids Act creates legal overlap and duplication that ultimately weaken protections for children and consumers."

The European Commission clarified that age verification would utilize the EU's existing verification application, ensuring no private personal data is collected or shared during validation.

Legal experts note that while the act could take years to pass, it offers a uniform framework. Lauro Fava, a partner at law firm Pinsent Masons, observed that the legislation would "be a new EU behemoth" similar to the Digital Services Act and AI Act, saying:

"For affected companies, they will be able to comply with a single, coherent, and potentially more balanced rulebook than if they had to deal with a multitude of member state laws,"

Alongside the Kids Act, von der Leyen addressed broader developments in artificial intelligence, expressing optimism that AI could "benefit humanity if we get it right."

However, she warned that "massive risks" such as "hacking on a level we never thought possible," must be managed carefully. In response, she announced plans to invite leading AI research laboratories for discussions on how the EU can support voluntary efforts to moderate the pace of AI deployment.