The European Commission will present a new proposal known as the EU KIDS Act on Thursday. The law aims to set a minimum age for children to access social media platforms across the European Union.
Commission spokesperson Olof Gil confirmed the plan during a press conference on Monday. The proposal will introduce an EU-wide minimum age and require online platforms to be safe by design.
The new rules will cover social media, video-sharing platforms, online games, AI chatbots and AI companions. Educational tools will be excluded. The proposal will also include tools to help parents and guardians manage children’s access.
The legislation follows pressure from leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron, who have called for stronger protections for minors online. Several EU countries are already preparing national restrictions.
The KIDS Act will feature an enforcement system similar to the Digital Services Act and the Artificial Intelligence Act. Companies will pay supervisory fees, and the European Commission will oversee the highest-risk services.