EU Proposes Ban on Social Media for Under-13s

Overview

• The European Commission announced the plan on Wednesday, Sept. 16, and intends to formally present the 'EU Kids Act' the next day while the measure still needs approval from member states and the European Parliament.
• Under the proposal, children under 13 would be barred from social media and no one under 15 would be allowed a personal account, with 13- and 14-year-olds limited to parent-created, supervised 'mini-accounts' that have restricted features and screen-time limits.
• For users aged 15 to 18 the draft would force platforms to adopt 'intrinsically safe' designs by removing features that promote excessive use, such as infinite feeds, and by curbing recommendation mechanics that push extreme or sexualized content.
• The package would extend rules beyond social networks to video platforms, app stores, games and AI companions, require age verification across services, and propose fines reported up to 6 percent of annual sales for noncompliance.
• The move follows international precedents like Australia’s 2025 restrictions, responds to concrete harms highlighted by officials including the suicide of a 14-year-old, and faces practical hurdles over privacy-safe age checks, technical design rules and a likely multi-year legislative fight.