EU Plans Tiered Social Media Access Rules for Under-15s

The European Commission is preparing new legislation that would restrict how children under 15 access social media and other potentially harmful online services like AI chatbots.

The proposed “EU KIDS Act” is expected to be unveiled on September 17. According to preparatory documents, it would introduce tiers of accounts based on age and require relevant platforms to verify users’ ages.

Under the tiered system, parents could open tightly controlled accounts for children under 13, provided the service meets comprehensive safety standards. Users aged between 13 and 15 could access introductory accounts featuring parental controls and restrictions on screen time and contact with strangers. Teenagers would be permitted to create fully independent accounts after turning 15.

The requirements would apply to high-risk social media and video-sharing platforms, including services such as TikTok and Instagram. Online games, AI chatbots, and AI companions would also be covered. Educational tools would be excluded from the act’s scope. 

The European Commission is believed to be planning an enforcement system resembling those established under the Digital Services Act and the Artificial Intelligence Act. The Commission would oversee the highest-risk services, while national regulators would supervise smaller companies.

The initiative follows pressure from health experts, parents, and European governments concerned about social media’s effects on children.