EU Commission proposes under-13s social media ban
The European Commission has proposed sweeping child safety rules under the KIDS Act, targeting social media access, online gaming, and AI chatbots for minors. The regulatory package features potential bans or age-access limits for children under 13 or under 15 depending on the specific proposal, alongside an age-verification app mechanism. Furthermore, the draft law aims to prevent AI companion apps from forming emotional attachments with teenagers and requires those systems to delete memory data. Estonian social scientists caution that blunt bans fail to resolve underlying issues and might introduce new problems.
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- ✓ The European Commission proposed rules under the KIDS Act that would restrict social media access for children.
- ✓ Apple Executive Chair Tim Cook described Australia's social media restrictions as world-leading during a meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
What changed
The European Commission introduced a legislative proposal to restrict social media access and AI chatbot interactions for minors.
Live updates
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EU Proposes Under-13s Social Media Ban and AI Curbs
The European Commission has proposed sweeping child safety rules under the KIDS Act, targeting social media access, online gaming, and AI chatbots for minors. The regulatory package features potential bans or age-access limits for children under 13 or under 15 depending on the specific proposal, alongside an age-verification app mechanism. And the draft law aims to prevent AI companion apps from forming emotional attachments with teenagers and requires those systems to delete memory data. Estonian social scientists caution that blunt bans fail to resolve underlying issues and might introduce new problems.
Why it matters
Lawmakers across multiple jurisdictions are intensifying efforts to combat internet and social media addiction among children. The European discussions run parallel to other international actions, such as Australia implementing youth social media curbs that drew praise from Apple executive Tim Cook. The proposed EU regulations represent a major push to reshape how technology platforms interact with young users.
What is confirmed
- The European Commission proposed rules under the KIDS Act that would restrict social media access for children.
- Apple Executive Chair Tim Cook described Australia's social media restrictions as world-leading during a meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Still unconfirmed
- The European Union is set to propose a ban on social media and AI chatbots specifically for under-15s.
What to watch next
- Legislative advancement or debate on the KIDS Act within EU institutions
- Further details on the mechanics and deployment of the proposed age-verification app
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (21)
- Reuters — EU is set to propose ban on social media and AI chatbots for under-15s
- CNN — EU announces plan to ban social media for under 13s
- BBC — EU announces plan to restrict social media access for children
- reuters.com — EU Commission proposes under-13s social media ban
- wired.com — The EU Wants to Break Up Kids and Their Chatbots
- dw.com — Europe seeks stricter age limits for social media
- GamesIndustry.biz — Draft of new EU law proposes sweeping restrictions on online games
- IEEE Spectrum — Countries Seek to Curb Social Media Addiction for Kids.
- WSJ — EU Could Require Age Verification in Minors’ Social Media Restrictions
- RTE.ie — 'I miss the chatbots' - EU plans put problematic AI use in focus
- Reuters — What is in the EU's planned KIDS Act?
- Positive News — What went right this week: the good news that matters
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