The European Union is the latest to tighten rules around children, artificial intelligence and online safety. The European Commission has proposed the EU KIDS Act, targeting children’s access to social media while introducing new safeguards for AI chatbots and other online services used by minors.
In June, the UK announced plans to restrict social media access for under-16s and impose restrictions on sexualized AI chatbot services for minors.
In July, China introduced dedicated AI companion rules targeting emotional dependency and virtual intimate relationships involving minors.
Under the proposal, children under 13 would not be allowed to access social media, while 15 would be the EU-wide minimum age for opening an independent social media account.
Children aged 13 to under 15 could access social media and video-sharing platforms through parent- or guardian-managed accounts, with safeguards including limited social contacts and screen time of up to one hour a day.
Children aged 3 to under 13 would not be allowed to access social media but could use specially designed, child-friendly video-sharing services through guardian-managed accounts.
On AI, the proposal specifically covers AI companions and chatbots. These would have to be turned off by default for minors and could not simulate interpersonal relationships in ways that create emotional dependency.
The rules would also target addictive features and profiling-based recommendation feeds that can pull minors into “rabbit holes” of harmful content. Infinite scrolling without stopping points, reward mechanisms, push notifications during sleeping hours and unsolicited contact from strangers would also be restricted.
The proposal would put more responsibility on platforms, requiring them to show that their services are age-appropriate and safe by design.
It would also require online services and app stores to use age-assurance tools. The Commission said its proposed EU age-verification app would not retain identity documents or biometric data.
“Our KIDS Act is reversing the burden of proof – it is for platforms to show they are safe by design,” said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
The EU KIDS Act has now been submitted to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union for examination and adoption.
Also Read: EU AI Act Rules Take Effect From Aug 2; Violations Can Attract Hefty Penalties
