EU Kids Act Aims to Protect Children from Social Media Risks
On September 16, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a significant new initiative known as the “EU Kids Act.” This proposed legislation seeks to restrict social media access for children under the age of 13 across all 27 countries in the European Union. The act also emphasizes the importance of parental guidance for those aged 13 to 15.
“This isn’t just about whether children can use social media; it’s about ensuring that they are protected when they do,” von der Leyen stated during her address in Brussels.
The proposed EU Kids Act comes as a response to rising concerns about youth mental health, which many experts link to excessive screen time and addictive design features on social media platforms. Recent surveys indicate that European teenagers spend an average of 4.5 hours online each school day, leading to worries about sleep issues, anxiety, and potential exposure to harmful content.
If implemented, this legislation would be groundbreaking, establishing a unified standard for digital health and age restrictions for minors.
Key Features of the EU Kids Act
The draft of the EU Kids Act specifically addresses risks associated with “Social Media+” platforms, video-sharing apps, and AI chatbots that can impact young minds. Under the new rules, teenagers aged 13 to just under 15 will be allowed access only through parent-supervised “mini-accounts,” which will have strict limitations, including a one-hour daily screen time and private settings by default.
Platforms will also need to adopt child-friendly features by removing practices such as infinite scrolling and notifications that encourage constant engagement. Tech companies will be required to prove the safety of their applications before allowing minors to use them.
This proposal builds on suggestions from an expert panel that recommended a minimum digital age and called for tech companies to be responsible for demonstrating compliance with safety standards.
The introduction of the EU Kids Act follows challenges in France, where a proposed social media ban for those under 15 was deemed unconstitutional. It also comes after a major settlement in the U.S. against Meta, where the company was accused of creating features that harm minors.
Privacy Protections and Legal Considerations
To address privacy concerns within the EU Kids Act draft, platforms must implement an EU age verification system that allows users to confirm their age without revealing their identity. However, some experts warn that loopholes could allow younger users to bypass these checks by using older siblings’ information.
While the EU panel recommended a straightforward access restriction for those under 13, the draft takes a more conservative stance by enforcing parental oversight up to age 15. This cautious approach aims to prevent possible legal challenges similar to those faced by France’s law, which was rejected for limiting minors’ freedom of expression.
Furthermore, the draft formalizes the recommendation for platform operators to evidence their compliance with safety requirements. Large online platforms will need to provide plans for approval from authorities before launching any new features, funded by a EU-wide supervisory fee.
Moving Forward with the EU Kids Act
As the European Commission prepares to finalize the proposal, the next steps involve negotiations within the European Parliament and the EU Council. These two bodies will work together to create the final binding rules of the EU Kids Act. The Council holds significant power in this process, as a qualified majority is needed to turn any proposed text into law.
“Europe can make its own rules; we will set the standards, not the tech giants,” von der Leyen asserted.
The proposed EU Kids Act reflects an effort to create a safer digital environment for young users by establishing clear age-based access and safety standards for social media.
