Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, has strongly criticized the new European Union proposal known as the KIDS Act. This law, recently introduced, aims to prohibit children under 13 years old from using social media and online games. At the same time, teenagers aged 13 to 15 can only access these platforms with parental supervision.
Details of the KIDS Act Bill
The KIDS Act specifically prohibits the creation of social media accounts for children under 13 years old. This restriction includes popular social platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, and additionally affects other platforms like operating systems, AI chatbots, and app stores. However, online encyclopedias, educational platforms, and digital news media are exempt from this law.
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Epic Games' Position and Legal Implications
Tim Sweeney expressed his views on this bill on social media platform X, criticizing the EU's approach. He believes that such regulations could inappropriately affect children's access to information and online games, thereby limiting their freedom of choice.
Despite the EU's efforts to protect children in the digital space, Sweeney and other critics believe that better solutions can be found to ensure the safety of children and teenagers in this environment. According to Sweeney, these restrictions could lead to counterproductive outcomes and prevent children from accessing positive and educational content.
The KIDS Act bill has now been sent to the European Parliament and Council to undergo the legislative process. The approval of this law could have widespread implications for game developers and social networks in Europe and significantly change how children interact with technology.
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