Brussels: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday unveiled a wide-ranging proposal to protect children from online risks, including a plan to bar children under 13 from accessing social media platforms.
The proposed European Union Kids Act would also require online services to introduce child-friendly accounts and strengthen safeguards against harmful digital content and addictive features.
The initiative comes amid growing concerns over the impact of platforms such as Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, TikTok, Google’s YouTube and artificial intelligence-powered chatbots on children’s mental health and online safety.
Several countries, including Australia, Britain, China, India and Turkey, have introduced or proposed measures to restrict children’s access to social media. However, challenges in enforcing Australia’s landmark ban on social media use by children under 16 could complicate similar efforts in Europe.
“Today, our children are engaging with some of the most sophisticated technology ever created, and it was not created with children’s well-being and development in mind,” von der Leyen said at a news conference.
She said the proposed legislation would establish clear boundaries for children’s online experiences, similar to the safeguards that exist in the physical world.
Under the proposal, children between 13 and 15 would be allowed to use social media only under parental control. The legislation would also establish specific safety requirements for social media platforms, video-sharing services, online video games and AI-powered companions and chatbots used by minors under 18.
The proposed safeguards include restrictions on addictive design features, algorithmic recommendation feeds based on user profiling, infinite scrolling, digital reward mechanisms and unsolicited contact from strangers.
AI companions and chatbots would have to remain switched off by default for children.
Online platforms would also be required to develop child-safe algorithms and provide accessible parental controls, including tools to block or mute other users.
To enforce the proposed rules, technology companies would be required to verify users’ ages through age-assurance systems when accounts are created.
Companies that violate the rules could face fines of up to 6% of their global annual turnover. They would also be required to pay supervisory fees to support regulatory oversight.
The proposal must now be negotiated with EU member states and the European Parliament before it can become law.
The technology industry has raised concerns over the potential privacy implications of the proposed measures.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association Europe, which represents major technology companies, including Google and Meta, warned that large-scale collection of children’s age information and identity documents could create new cybersecurity risks.
“Collecting age information, identity credentials, and data linking children with parents or guardians at this scale would undoubtedly create an attractive target for cybercriminals,” CCIA Europe chief Daniel Friedlaender said.
He also argued that the proposed legislation could create overlapping obligations under existing EU laws, potentially complicating efforts to protect children and consumers online.
