EU to limit access to social media before age of 15

Live updates

1. 19h ago

   EU prepares Kids Act to restrict digital access for children under 15

   The European Union is set to propose the Kids Act, a legislative package that would limit children under 15 from accessing social media, AI chatbots, and online games. Draft proposals due this week will require tech companies to implement age verification for users. Non-compliant firms could face fines reaching 6% of their global revenue. The initiative follows a push for a minimum age limit by Spain and the Netherlands, as well as repeated attempts by France to establish similar national bans.

   Why it matters

   This move reflects a broader European effort to protect minors from digital harms. France has previously struggled to implement its own under-15 ban following a Constitutional Council ruling. The policy also introduces potential diplomatic tension between the EU and Donald Trump.

   What is confirmed

   • The EU plans to restrict access to social media, AI chatbots, and online games for children under 15.
   • France has submitted a new proposal to ban social media for under-15s.
   • The Netherlands and Spain are pushing for a minimum age limit for social media across the EU.
   • Tech platforms will be required to verify the age of their users.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Non-compliant firms face fines up to 6% of global revenue.
   • The EU Kids Act will be presented on Thursday.
   • The ban will test a fragile truce with Donald Trump.

   What to watch next

   • The official presentation of the Kids Act draft proposal on Thursday
   • Agreement or disagreement from EU member states on the draft terms
   • Further rulings from the French Constitutional Council regarding age limits
   Sources used for this update (18)

   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. Reuters — Macron urges EU ban on social media for under-15s in letter to Von der Leyen
   4. Financial Times — EU social media ban to test fragile truce with Donald Trump
   5. euractiv.com — THE HACK: EU eyes social media 'delay'
   6. Bloomberg.com — EU Looking to Restrict Social Media, Chatbots for Kids Under 15
   7. - Center for Democracy and Technology — Op-Ed: France’s Constitutional Council Ruling Tests the Limits of Social Media Bans
   8. euractiv.com — Gamers will have to prove their age under EU Kids Act
   9. lemonde.fr — France makes new attempt to ban social media for children under age 15
   10. Euronews.com — The Netherlands, Spain push for EU-wide minimum age on social media
   11. Reuters — EU is set to propose ban on social media and AI chatbots for under-15s
   12. www.dexerto.com — EU plans sweeping social media and AI chatbot restrictions for kids under 15
   confidence 90%