EU Plans Sweeping Online Restrictions for Children Under 15

The European Union is preparing to propose new restrictions that could prevent children under the age of 15 from accessing major social media platforms, AI chatbots, video-sharing services and online games.

The proposal, expected to form part of the European Commission’s planned EU Kids Act, is aimed at strengthening protections for children from potential online harms. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen are expected to present the initiative on September 17.

Under the proposed age-based system, children younger than three would have no access to the covered services. Those aged three to 12 could use child-friendly services under parental control, while 13- and 14-year-olds could potentially access limited introductory accounts with strict parental supervision. Teenagers aged 15 and above would be allowed to operate their own accounts.

The measures would affect some of the world’s largest digital platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and ChatGPT. Companies could also be required to introduce stronger age-verification systems, parental controls and mechanisms for reporting harmful content.

The EU is also considering measures aimed at reducing addictive design features that can encourage excessive use among young people. Platforms could be required to take greater responsibility for protecting minors and may have to contribute to the costs of regulatory supervision.

The move comes amid growing international concern over children’s exposure to social media, online gaming and artificial intelligence. EU institutions have already been developing measures focused on safer online environments, including stronger privacy protections for minors, restrictions on harmful recommender systems and safeguards for AI chatbots.

However, the proposed restrictions are not yet law. The Commission’s proposal would still need to go through negotiations involving EU member states and the European Parliament before any final legislation could take effect. The exact age thresholds and other provisions could also change during the legislative process.

If adopted, the initiative would represent one of Europe’s most significant attempts yet to regulate children’s access to the digital world, while forcing technology companies to take greater responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of younger users.