EU Eyes Ban on Social Media for Under 15s

The European Union is set to unveil its most comprehensive plan yet to safeguard children from online dangers, with a proposal to restrict access to social media, video sharing platforms, AI chatbots, and online games for individuals under 15 years old. This initiative is a key component of the forthcoming EU Kids Act.

The proposed regulations would allow for age-based access to digital services, with specific obligations for companies tailored to the type of service and the age of the child. Children aged 15 and older could create their own accounts. Those between 13 and 14 could have introductory accounts with parental consent, limited contacts, and strict time controls. For children aged 3 to 12, accounts would be fully parent-controlled and limited to child-friendly services meeting high safety standards. Access for children under three would be prohibited.

Tech companies involved will be mandated to pay a supervisory fee to fund regulatory enforcement. Furthermore, they will be required to implement robust age verification processes for account creation and game downloads, design services to avoid addictive features, and provide effective tools for children to report harmful content and for parents to maintain control. The proposal will undergo further negotiation with EU countries and the European Parliament before becoming law.