Concerns are growing about the risks children and teenagers face when using online platforms, which are highly addictive and designed to grab their attention for as long as possible.
Protecting children online is a priority for the European Commission. This is why we have proposed a new KIDS Act to introduce a gradual uptake of social media for children across the EU.
It will apply to online services used by minors, including social media, video-sharing platforms, online games, and AI companions and chatbots.
Delayed access to social media
Under the proposal, access to social media will be based on age.
- Under 13: children will not be able to access social media services. They can still use child-friendly video-sharing services through an account managed by a parent or guardian.
- Age 13 to under 15: children will be able to use social media through a mini account managed by a parent or guardian, with limited features and a time restriction of 1 hour per day.
- From age 15 onwards: children will be able to open and manage their own social media account.
Safety by design
Online services used by minors will have to offer stronger protection by default.
This includes
- limiting features that can encourage excessive use, such as infinite scroll, reward tricks and push notifications during sleeping hours
- prohibiting unsolicited contact from strangers
- ensuring profiles for minors are private by default
- offering easy ways to block or mute other users
AI chatbots and companions must also be turned off by default, and will no longer be able to act in ways that make children emotionally dependent on them.
Age checks
Online services and app stores will have to use tools to check users’ ages, while protecting their privacy. They can for example use the EU age verification app, which does not retain identity documents or biometric data.
Social media services and video-sharing platforms will be required to verify age when a new account is opened.
Increasing platforms’ responsibility
The EU KIDS Act will also shift the burden of proof from regulators to platforms. Providers of very large online platforms will have to show that their services are safe for children and designed with their wellbeing in mind.
The proposal builds on the work of the special panel of experts, set up by President von der Leyen to develop a strong and practical European approach to keep children safe online.
It will now be examined by the European Parliament and the Council, who will negotiate and decide on the final text before it becomes law.
For more information
- EU KIDS Act
- Press release
- Factsheet
- Questions and answers
- Protecting your digital life
- Visual story - Safe clicks
- Publication date
- 17 September 2026
- Author
- Directorate-General for Communication