EU is set to propose ban on social media and AI chatbots for under-15s

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   EU Proposes Strict Age Limits for Social Media and AI Chatbots

   The European Union is preparing to unveil the EU Kids Act, introducing major digital safety measures that include a total social media ban for children under 13 alongside restricted access and personal account limits for minors under 15. Led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the initiative follows years of mounting pressure over addictive online features and digital harms affecting youth. Member states such as France, the Netherlands, and Spain have actively pushed for unified European rules, setting the stage for continent-wide age verification mandates across social networks, video-sharing platforms, AI chatbots, and online video games.

   Why it matters

   Digital safety has become a top priority for European regulators amid rising concerns over the mental health impacts of infinite scrolling, personalized feeds, and algorithmic manipulation. Prior national efforts, including repeated pushes by France, faced fragmented results before prompting this synchronized European Union response. The incoming legislation targets not only traditional social networking sites but also emerging technologies like generative artificial intelligence and interactive gaming ecosystems.

   What is confirmed

   • The European Union is introducing the EU Kids Act to establish age-based access rules for minors online.
   • Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans to bar social media for children under 13.
   • The proposed regulations include restrictions for users under 15 regarding personal accounts, AI chatbots, video-sharing platforms, and online games.
   • France, the Netherlands, and Spain have pushed for EU-wide minimum age rules on social media.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Gamers will be universally required to prove their age under the upcoming EU Kids Act regulations.

   What to watch next

   • The official unveiling of the EU Kids Act by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
   • Legislative negotiations among EU member states regarding enforcement mechanisms and age verification standards
   Sources used for this update (20)

   1. politico.eu — EU to limit access to social media before age of 15
   2. Euronews.com — France submits new proposal to ban social media for under-15s after failed attempt
   3. Bloomberg.com — EU Looking to Restrict Social Media, Chatbots for Kids Under 15
   4. euractiv.com — Gamers will have to prove their age under EU Kids Act
   5. lemonde.fr — France makes new attempt to ban social media for children under age 15
   6. Euronews.com — The Netherlands, Spain push for EU-wide minimum age on social media
   7. Reuters — EU is set to propose ban on social media and AI chatbots for under-15s
   8. Euronews.com — Leak: EU Commission to pitch social media restrictions for under-15s
   9. Yahoo — EU chief to unveil social media, gaming curbs for under-15s
   10. Yahoo — EU's von der Leyen to unveil plans on digital children safety measures
   11. The New York Times — Age Limits for Social Media Outlined by European Union
   12. Financial Times — EU to restrict social media and chatbots for children under 15
   confidence 95%