The European Union is preparing sweeping new restrictions on children’s access to social media, AI chatbots, video-sharing platforms and online games as part of a broader effort to strengthen protection for minors online.
A European Commission document seen by Reuters indicates that the proposed rules would restrict children under 15 from accessing several categories of digital services.
The proposal is expected to form part of an EU Kids Act to be presented by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen.
The initiative comes amid growing concern over the impact of digital platforms on children’s mental health, safety and exposure to harmful content.
The proposed framework would introduce different levels of access depending on a child’s age and the type of digital service involved.
Children aged 15 and above would be allowed to establish their own accounts, while those aged 13 and 14 could be permitted to access social media and video-sharing platforms through accounts opened by parents.
Such accounts would operate under parental controls, with limited contacts and strict time restrictions.
The proposal would also extend beyond conventional social media platforms to include AI chatbots and online gaming services.
The European Commission said the broader objective would be to allow children to benefit from digital technology while reducing their exposure to abuse and exploitation.
Technology companies covered by the rules would also be required to contribute a supervisory fee to help finance regulatory oversight and enforcement.
The proposed measures reflect a growing international push to regulate children’s access to online platforms.
Governments in several countries are increasingly examining age restrictions as concerns grow over algorithmic content recommendations, online exploitation and the effects of prolonged digital use on young people.
The EU’s proposed framework could become one of the most comprehensive attempts to regulate children’s access to digital services, potentially placing new responsibilities on some of the world’s largest technology companies.
