On September 17, the European Commission introduced the EU KIDS Act, a legislative proposal aimed at radically restructuring how minors access the digital world. The proposal introduces strict age limits and targets 'addictive' platform features, shifting the burden of proof regarding safety onto the technology companies themselves.

New Age Limits and 'Mini-Accounts'

According to the Commission's plan, three distinct access tiers are established:

  • Under 13: A total ban on social media access. Only specially designed, child-friendly services under parental management are permitted.
  • 13 to 14: The option to create 'mini-accounts.' These accounts will be created and supervised by parents, featuring limited functionality and a maximum daily usage limit of one hour.
  • 15 and older: The right to create a personal account, though platforms will be required to maintain enhanced protection measures until the user turns 18.

Restrictions on Design and Artificial Intelligence

The EU KIDS Act directly targets features deemed addictive. Infinite scrolling, reward systems, and push notifications during sleep hours are under scrutiny. Furthermore, the proposal mandates that AI services and chatbots must be disabled by default for minors to prevent the development of emotional dependency or the simulation of human relationships in ways that could negatively impact children.

Additionally, minor profiles will be private by default, and access to sensitive data such as geographic location, camera, and microphone must remain deactivated unless consciously enabled.

Reversing the Burden of Proof

A central innovation of the proposal is the requirement for major platforms to prove that their services are safe for children, rather than requiring parents or authorities to prove they are harmful. "It does not only matter if minors have access to social media. It matters when and how we allow social media to have access to minors," stated Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

To implement these measures, platforms may utilize European age verification technologies designed to confirm age limits without revealing more personal data than necessary. The proposal now enters the legislative phase for approval at the European level.