EU announces plan to ban social media for under 13s

Live updates

1. 32d ago

   EU plans to ban social media for under 13s

   The European Commission proposed the KIDS Act to restrict social media access for children under 13 across the EU, using a phased approach to enforce stricter age verification and data collection limits on tech platforms.

   Why it matters

   This regulatory effort aims to reduce children's exposure to harmful digital content and force major online networks to overhaul user safety protocols. The move reflects a broader global trend of restricting online activity for minors. Egypt already bans accounts for children under 13 and mandates safe modes for young teenagers.

   What is confirmed

   • The European Commission proposed the KIDS Act to restrict social media access for children under 13 across the European Union.
   • Egypt already bans accounts for children under 13 and mandates safe modes for young teenagers.

   What to watch next

   • Implementation details of the KIDS Act
   • Reactions from tech companies and child advocacy groups
   • Similar regulatory efforts in other countries
   Sources used for this update (8)

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   8. tass.com — EU leaders are trying hard to drag their countries into conflict with Russia — Medvedev
   confidence 100%
2. 36d ago

   EU Proposes KIDS Act to Ban Social Media for Under-13s

   The European Commission has proposed the KIDS Act to restrict social media access for children under the age of 13 across the European Union. This regulatory effort uses a phased approach to enforce stricter age verification and data collection limits on tech platforms. Egypt already bans accounts for children under 13 and mandates safe modes for young teenagers, reflecting a broader global trend of restricting online activity for minors. These measures seek to reduce children's exposure to harmful digital content and force major online networks to overhaul user safety protocols.

   Why it matters

   Governments worldwide are increasingly scrutinizing tech platforms over youth safety and data privacy concerns. Lawmakers aim to curb addiction and exposure to harmful material by pushing platforms to implement robust identity checks. Egypt's existing ban serves as an early operational model for similar regulatory efforts now being considered in Europe.

   What is confirmed

   • The European Commission proposed the KIDS Act to delay social media access for children until age 13 across the European Union.
   • Egypt already bans accounts for children under 13 and mandates safe modes for young teenagers.

   What to watch next

   • Formal debate and voting schedules for the KIDS Act in European legislative bodies.
   • Implementation timelines for platform age verification mandates across EU member states.
   Sources used for this update (5)

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3. 37d ago

   European Commission proposes KIDS Act to ban social media for under 13s

   The European Commission has proposed the KIDS Act to delay social media access for children until age 13 across the European Union. This proposal introduces a phased approach to social media access to enhance youth safety. The move follows a growing global trend of restricting minors' online activity, with Egypt already banning accounts for children under 13 and mandating safe modes for young teenagers. These regulatory efforts aim to limit exposure to harmful content and force platforms to implement stricter age verification and data collection limits.

   Why it matters

   Regulators are increasingly targeting the impact of social media on children's mental health and safety. Previous efforts in Australia and Egypt established a precedent for age-based restrictions. The EU's proposal seeks to standardize these protections across its member states.

   What is confirmed

   • The European Commission proposed the KIDS Act to delay social media access until age 13 across the EU.
   • Egypt has banned social media accounts for children under 13 and required a safe mode for young teenagers.

   What to watch next

   • The European Parliament's vote on the KIDS Act proposal
   • Implementation timelines for the phased access rollout
   • Responses from major social media platforms regarding the EU proposal
   Sources used for this update (11)

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   10. www.thenational.scot — What 12 years of polling tells us about the future of independence
   11. themunicheye.com — EU's New KIDS Act Would Delay Social Media Access Until Age 13
   confidence 100%
4. 40d ago

   Egypt Bans Social Media for Children Under 13

   Egypt has banned social media accounts for children under 13 and mandated a safe mode for young teenagers. These rules force platforms to verify the age of their users and restrict how much data they collect. This move coincides with a global trend toward tighter regulation of children's online activity, following similar efforts in Australia and the European Union to enhance safety and limit exposure to harmful content.

   Why it matters

   The European Union is pursuing the EU Kids Act to restrict social media for those under 15 and mandate child-friendly accounts. These regional efforts mirror a broader international push to protect minors from online risks.

   What is confirmed

   • Tim Cook described Australia's social media rules as world-leading.
   • Egypt requires platforms to verify user ages and limit data collection.

   What to watch next

   • EU enforcement actions against social media companies within the 90-day probe window
   • Global adoption of AI safeguards called for by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. www.foxnews.com — Iran claims world will be 'astonished' by new weapons, Trump in 'deciding mode'
   2. famagusta-gazette.com — Egypt bans social media accounts for under-13s, imposes mandatory “safe mode” for young teens
   3. macdailynews.com — Apple’s Cook calls Australia’s social media rules ‘world-leading,’ PM says
   4. www.techtimes.com — Tim Cook Praises Australia’s Social Media Rules as ‘World-Leading’
   confidence 100%
5. 41d ago

   EU updates plans to restrict social media access for children under 15

   The European Union announced plans to restrict social media access for children under 15 to strengthen online safety and improve wellbeing. This expands on earlier proposals to ban users under 13. The restrictions are part of a broader effort under the EU Kids Act, which mandates child-friendly accounts and limits access to harmful content across app stores, AI chatbots, online gaming, and pornography sites. Enforcement is fast-tracked, granting investigators 90 days to probe breaches by social media companies.

   Why it matters

   The EU Kids Act aims to standardize minor safety across the digital market. While the EU pursues these restrictions, France is separately pursuing a revised proposal for those under 15. These measures target the systemic ways platforms handle youth data and content exposure.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The European Union plans to restrict social media access for children under 15.

   What to watch next

   • Official publication of the revised age limit in EU legislation
   • Details on how the 90-day enforcement window for the EU Kids Act will be applied
   • Confirmation of whether France will align its under-15 proposal with the EU plan
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. pajhwok.com — EU plans social media restrictions for under-15s
   2. jen.jiji.com — Tesla sets October 1 reveal for long-awaited Roadster
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6. 43d ago

   EU Kids Act introduces 90-day enforcement for social media age limits

   The European Union is implementing fast-track enforcement for the EU Kids Act, allowing investigators 90 days to probe rule breaches by social media companies. This follows European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's proposal to ban children under 13 from social platforms. The regulations extend to app stores, online gaming, AI chatbots, and pornography sites. To improve minor safety, services must create child-friendly accounts and restrict access to harmful digital content. France is now pursuing a separate, revised proposal to restrict access for those under 15.

   Why it matters

   The EU Kids Act aims to combat addictive digital features and protect minors from harmful content. These measures address concerns over children doom scrolling and the lack of safety guardrails on major platforms.

   What is confirmed

   • European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed the EU Kids Act to ban children under 13 from social media.
   • The EU Kids Act includes safety rules for AI chatbots, app stores, online gaming sites, and pornography platforms.
   • Online services under the plan must implement child-friendly accounts.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The French proposal targets addictive features and may allow parental exceptions.

   What to watch next

   • Brussels' decision on the French under-15 proposal
   • The first formal investigations into social media rule breaches
   • Final implementation dates for child-friendly account requirements
   Sources used for this update (3)

   1. www.tech2geek.net — France Revives Its Plan to Restrict Social Media for Under-15s After Constitutional Setback
   2. www.irishtimes.com — ‘Children are constantly doom scrolling’: Teenagers on the EU’s social media age limits
   3. www.theguardian.com — Police on high alert before Millwall v West Ham, Inter legend Mazzola dies – matchday live, as it happened
   confidence 80%
7. 44d ago

   EU proposes Kids Act to ban children under 13 from social media

   European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the EU Kids Act on Thursday to bar children under 13 from social media platforms. The proposal expands beyond social networks to include new safety rules for AI chatbots, online gaming sites, app stores, and pornography platforms. Under the plan, online services must implement child-friendly accounts and increase protections against harmful digital content to improve overall online safety for minors.

   Why it matters

   Brussels is attempting to coordinate child online safety across the European Union. This move follows global trends in digital regulation, such as recent social media reform efforts in Australia.

   What is confirmed

   • European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a ban on social media for children under 13.
   • The EU Kids Act introduces safety restrictions for AI chatbots and gaming sites.
   • The proposal requires online services to create child-friendly accounts.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The age limit for independent account creation could be as high as 15.
   • Germany is planning an interim law while the EU prepares these curbs.

   What to watch next

   • Formal vote on the EU Kids Act by member states
   • Details on the specific technical requirements for child-friendly accounts
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. www.heise.de — EU Kids Act: Child safety features for far more than just social networks
   2. von.gov.ng — EU Proposes Social Media Ban for Children under 13
   3. www.yahoo.com — Europe to restrict youngsters' use of social media, AI chatbots
   4. www.theguardian.com — Australia claims it is a global pioneer in preventing online harm - should other countries follow suit?
   5. www.newsmobile.in — EU Proposes Social Media Ban for Children Under 13 in New Online Safety Plan
   6. www.dailyfinland.fi — Germany plans interim law as EU readies social media curbs for children
   confidence 95%
8. 45d ago

   EU proposes social media ban for children under 13

   European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has introduced plans to ban children under 13 from using social media. The proposal, identified as the EU KIDS Act, aims to bar younger children from these platforms entirely while implementing restrictions for teenagers. Some reports suggest the age limit for independent account creation could be as high as 15, and the plan may also include restrictions on chatbots. The initiative represents a coordinated effort by Brussels to regulate child online safety across the European Union.

   Why it matters

   This regulatory move targets the systemic access children have to digital platforms. It introduces a legal framework to standardize age verification and account ownership across member states.

   What is confirmed

   • The European Union plans to ban children under 13 from using social media.
   • The proposed legislation is called the EU KIDS Act.
   • European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is leading the proposal to curb children's access to social media.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Only children over 15 would be permitted to create their own social media accounts.

   What to watch next

   • Formal introduction of the EU KIDS Act text
   • EU member state voting on the proposal
   • Details on enforcement mechanisms for age verification
   Sources used for this update (9)

   1. The New York Times — Age Limits for Social Media Outlined by European Union
   2. Financial Times — EU to restrict social media and chatbots for children under 15
   3. AP News — EU chief proposes social media ban for kids under 13
   4. CNN — EU announces plan to ban social media for under 13s
   5. WSJ — EU Chief Reveals Plans for Curbing Children’s Access to Social Media
   6. www.bbc.co.uk — EU announces plan to restrict social media access for under-15s
   7. www.rte.ie — news2day Explainer: EU plans to ban social media access for under 13s and bring in restrictions for teenagers
   8. www.upi.com — Brussels unveils plans for EU-wide social media ban for kids under 13
   9. leadership.ng — EU Moves Closer To Social Media Ban For Children Under 13
   confidence 80%