EU proposes Kids Act: no social media under 13, AI chatbots off by default for minors

According to the Commission's press release, the rules would apply to social media, video-sharing services, online video games, AI companions and chatbots offered to users under 18. Children aged 13 and 14 could use guardian-created mini accounts with limited contacts and screen time, while younger children would be limited to child-friendly video services through guardian-managed accounts. Providers would have to remove addictive features such as infinite scroll, and AI companions could not simulate personal relationships in ways that create emotional dependency.

The proposal reverses the burden of proof, requiring providers to show their services are age-appropriate and safe by design. A Commission explainer says self-declared age will not suffice, with access gated by certified age verification such as a free EU app, that fines could reach 6% of worldwide annual turnover, and that the Commission would directly supervise the most widely used platforms and AI chatbots.

Reuters, reporting on a draft earlier in the week, described it as restricting under-15s across social media, AI chatbots and online games. The text now goes to the European Parliament and EU member states, which must both agree before it becomes law.