EU Proposes 'Kids Act' to Ban Social Media for Under-13s and Regulate AI Chatbots
The European Commission has proposed the 'Kids Act,' a binding regulation that would ban social media access for children under 13 and restrict usage for those aged 13-15. The plan requires platforms to prove safety by design, imposes strict age verification, and targets AI chatbots to prevent harmful emotional attachments. Non-compliance could result in fines up to 6% of global turnover.
Key points
- Children under 13 will be barred from accessing social media, gaming platforms, and AI chatbots without parental supervision.
- Teens aged 13 to 15 may only use 'mini accounts' with parental controls, time limits, and restricted contact with strangers.
- Platforms must verify user age using an official EU app and submit detailed child safety plans to avoid fines up to 6% of global annual turnover.
- The legislation aims to reverse the burden of proof, requiring companies to demonstrate that their platforms are safe for minors rather than relying on self-regulation.
- The rules extend to AI companion services, prohibiting designs that encourage unhealthy emotional attachments or expose children to harmful content.
Background
This proposal follows a global trend of tightening youth tech regulations, including recent laws in California banning addictive features like infinite scroll for minors. It also builds on existing EU frameworks like the AI Act and Digital Services Act, which have already targeted platform behaviors that harm children. The move responds to growing evidence of mental health impacts and AI-generated exploitation, such as sexualized images of girls, which Commission President Ursula von der Leyen cited as urgent threats.
How outlets are covering it
The Financial Times emphasizes the legal shift in burden of proof, noting that platforms must now prove safety to regulators. The BBC highlights the practical challenges, including potential conflicts with national laws in France and Spain, and privacy concerns regarding age verification. The New York Times focuses on the scope of the ban across the 27-nation bloc and the specific restrictions on 'mini accounts.' All sources agree on the core age limits but differ on the feasibility of enforcement and the impact on existing national regulations.
Why it matters
This legislation could set a global precedent for regulating AI and social media, influencing policies in the US, UK, and Australia. It directly impacts major tech companies like Meta, which has already faced settlements and fines for alleged harms to children. The strict penalties and mandatory safety standards may force a fundamental redesign of platform features for younger users.
What to watch
The proposal must now be approved by EU member states and the European Parliament. Member states may need to repeal conflicting national laws, potentially leading to legal disputes. Tech companies are expected to lobby against the measures, and enforcement mechanisms will be closely scrutinized in the coming months.
- EU to restrict social media and chatbots for children under 15 Financial Times
- EU Commission proposes under-13s social media ban reuters.com
- EU announces plan to restrict social media access for children BBC
- Age Limits for Social Media Outlined by European Union The New York Times
- The EU Wants to Break Up Kids and Their Chatbots WIRED
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