The European Commission has presented a new initiative called the EU KIDS Act to increase the safety of children online. According to this plan, children under 13 will not be allowed to access social networks, and individuals under 15 will face restrictions when creating their own independent accounts.
Age Restrictions and Parental Supervision
In this plan, presented on September 17, 2026, it is proposed that children's access to social networks be gradually restricted. The minimum age for creating an independent account on social networks is set at 15, and children aged 13 and 14 can only access certain services with accounts supervised by their parents or guardians.
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Protective Measures and New Restrictions
Children under 13 cannot access social networks, but they will be able to use video-sharing services specifically designed for them through a parent-managed account. These accounts must have specific protective mechanisms, including limiting usage time to a maximum of one hour per day.
For children aged 13 and 14, access to social networks will not be completely unrestricted, and parents can create sub-accounts for them that allow access to social networks under parental supervision.
The EU KIDS Act also emphasizes the design of platforms themselves, and technology companies are required to limit features that could lead children to prolonged use or exposure to inappropriate content. This includes removing content recommendation systems and tools designed to prevent emotional dependency in young users.
The European Commission has also stressed the need for age verification of users and has suggested that platforms check the user's age when creating a new account. This process should ensure that users' privacy is maintained.
Ultimately, the implementation of this plan will require specific monitoring and penalties that could reach 6% of companies' annual turnover. However, the EU KIDS Act has not yet become law and needs to go through legal processes to be enacted.
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