EU sets age gates on social media and AI bots with 'Kids Act'
The EU plans a 'Kids Act' to bar social media, certain gaming platforms and AI chatbots from under-15s without parental supervision: under-13 only with parental oversight, 13–15 with parental controls and restrictions like time limits; platforms must verify user ages via an official app and face penalties up to 6% of global turnover for non-compliance. The rules supplement existing EU digital rules (AI Act, Digital Services Act) and come amid a broader push on AI safety, described by Ursula von der Leyen as addressing the 'second tipping point' of our time.