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โ— TRACKER Updated 33d ago ยท 19 sources tracked

EU announces plan to restrict social media access for under-15s

The European Union is moving to limit social media access for children under 15 while pursuing age-appropriate restrictions to ensure a safer online environment. Growing pressure from a rising body of evidence showing negative impacts on youth physical and mental health has driven policymakers to act. The initiative targets digital service providers, video-sharing platforms, app stores, online games, and conversational chatbots. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen introduced the legislative framework, known as the EU KIDS Act, during her State of the Union speech.

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  • โœ“ The European Union is advancing plans to restrict social media access for children under 15.
  • โœ“ Policymakers face a global backlash and a rising body of evidence regarding the negative impacts of social media on children's physical and mental health.
๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Source Corroboration: 19 independent reporting domains (100% confidence) โฑ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

New reporting confirms the legislative push is fueled by mounting global evidence regarding the negative physical and mental health impacts of platforms on children.

Live updates

  1. EU Proposes New Restrictions on Social Media for Minors

    The European Union is moving to limit social media access for children under 15 while pursuing age-appropriate restrictions to ensure a safer online environment. Growing pressure from a rising body of evidence showing negative impacts on youth physical and mental health has driven policymakers to act. The initiative targets digital service providers, video-sharing platforms, app stores, online games, and conversational chatbots. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen introduced the legislative framework, known as the EU KIDS Act, during her State of the Union speech.

    Why it matters

    Policymakers face intense global backlash over the toll digital platforms take on young people. This policy builds on earlier disclosures regarding the EU KIDS Act, which seeks a total ban for users under 13 alongside restricted access for older minors. The legislative effort represents a major regulatory push into youth digital wellbeing.

    What is confirmed

    • The European Union is advancing plans to restrict social media access for children under 15.
    • Policymakers face a global backlash and a rising body of evidence regarding the negative impacts of social media on children's physical and mental health.

    What to watch next

    • Legislative progress and debate on the EU KIDS Act within European institutions
    • Specific enforcement mechanisms proposed for digital service providers and app stores
    Sources used for this update (4)
    1. www.thedailystar.net โ€” EU to restrict social media, AI chatbots and online gaming ...
    2. cde.news โ€” EU Proposes Age Limits on Social Media for Young Children
    3. www.gulf-times.com โ€” tag - Gulf Times
    4. sumsub.com โ€” ESMA Shifts MiCA Focus to Crypto Supervision - Sumsub,KYC ํ”Œ๋žซํผ ,์—…๊ณ„ 1์œ„ ์‹ ์›ํ™•์ธ ์„œ๋น„์Šค
    confidence 100%

  2. EU Proposes Kids Act to Restrict Social Media for Under-15s

    The European Union has proposed the EU KIDS Act to restrict social media access for children under 15 and enforce a complete ban for users under 13. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the legislative initiative during her State of the Union speech on September 17, 2026. The framework aims to improve youth wellbeing and online safety by placing new obligations on digital service providers, video-sharing platforms, app stores, online games, and conversational chatbots.

    Why it matters

    The European Commission advanced the proposal because 23 of 27 member states were already pursuing their own incompatible national age restrictions. The initiative supplements existing frameworks like the Digital Services Act and the AI Act by shifting the burden of enforcement directly onto platforms.

    What is confirmed

    • The European Commission adopted a proposal for the EU KIDS Act on September 17, 2026.
    • The proposed legislation restricts social media access for children under 15 and includes a ban for users under 13.
    • European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the Kids Act in her State of the Union speech.
    • Twenty-three of 27 EU member states were already pursuing their own incompatible age restrictions before the proposal.

    What to watch next

    • Legislative negotiations and amendments by the European Parliament and Council
    • Adoption timelines for the age-verification app and technical safety standards
    Sources used for this update (10)
    1. pajhwok.com โ€” EU plans social media restrictions for under-15s
    2. www.solicitorsjournal.com โ€” EU Kids Act proposes new restrictions on childrenโ€™s social ...
    3. www.winstontaylor.com โ€” EU Kids Act: what do the planned age restrictions and safety ...
    4. thecyberexpress.com โ€” EU KIDS Act Sets New Social Media Rules For Children
    5. www.ibc.org โ€” EU unveils plan to restrict social media access for children
    6. socialday.live โ€” EU KIDS Act forces platforms to prove safety before allowing ...
    7. en.lider.media โ€” Von der Leyen announces Kids Act aimed at protecting children ...
    8. www.pearlcohen.com โ€” EU Proposed KIDS Act: Social Media Minimum Age and Safety-by ...
    9. technolifewise.org โ€” EU Plans Stricter Social Media Rules for Under-15s
    10. privacymatters.dlapiper.com โ€” EU: Commission proposes a new KIDS Act to protect children ...
    confidence 100%

  3. EU Proposes Social Media Restrictions for Children

    The European Union has announced a plan to restrict children's access to social media. The proposal includes a ban on social media for users under 13 and would affect online gaming and AI chatbots. To enforce these limits, the EU intends to implement an age-verification app. This sweeping child safety initiative aims to transform how minors interact with digital platforms across the bloc.

    Why it matters

    Current digital safety laws often rely on self-reported ages which are easily bypassed. This proposal shifts the burden of verification to a centralized system. It marks a significant regulatory move to protect minors from online harms.

    What is confirmed

    • The EU announced a plan to restrict social media access for children.
    • The EU proposal includes a ban on social media for those under 13.

    Still unconfirmed

    • The child safety proposal would transform online gaming and AI chatbots.
    • The EU will use an age-verification app to manage child access.

    What to watch next

    • Official publication of the full legislative text
    • Details on the technical specifications of the age-verification app
    • Timeline for member state implementation
    Sources used for this update (5)
    1. CNN โ€” EU announces plan to ban social media for under 13s
    2. BBC โ€” EU announces plan to restrict social media access for children
    3. Positive News โ€” What went right this week: the good news that matters
    4. Reuters โ€” Explainer: How the EU's age-verification app for children would work
    5. CNET โ€” Sweeping EU Child Safety Proposal Would Transform Social Media, Online Gaming and AI Chatbots
    confidence 70%
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