European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used her state‑of‑the‑union address in Strasbourg to unveil a sweeping proposal that would ban personal social‑media accounts for children under the age of 13 across the European Union. The plan, part of a forthcoming “Kids Act,” also introduces tightly controlled “mini‑accounts” for 13‑ and 14‑year‑olds, allowing them only under parental supervision and limiting usage to one hour per day.
Key elements of the proposed Kids Act
The legislation would reverse the current burden of proof, requiring social‑media platforms to demonstrate that their services are safe for minors before they can operate in the EU. Von der Leyen emphasized that the EU has the authority to set these rules, stating, “It is us who decide the rules, not Big Tech.”
Under the draft, any user younger than 13 would be barred from creating a personal account. Children aged 13 and 14 could access a limited version of a platform, but only with a parent’s explicit permission and with features stripped down to protect privacy and reduce exposure to harmful content.
International context
The EU move follows a series of national efforts to curb youth access to social media. Several member states have already introduced age‑based restrictions, and Australia became the first country worldwide to ban social‑media accounts for anyone under 16 in December 2025. The European Commission plans to present the full Kids Act proposal to the European Parliament on Thursday.
Critics argue that the measures could stifle innovation and place an undue regulatory burden on technology companies. However, von der Leyen countered that many people view the power of large tech firms as overwhelming and “impossible to roll back.” She expressed confidence that Europe can act decisively to protect children’s digital wellbeing.
Potential impact on platforms and families
If adopted, the rules would force major platforms such as Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat to redesign their onboarding processes for younger users. Companies would need to develop verification systems that confirm parental consent and enforce the one‑hour daily limit for mini‑accounts.
For families, the legislation aims to give parents clearer tools to monitor and limit their children’s online activity. By mandating parental supervision for the youngest users, the EU hopes to reduce exposure to cyberbullying, misinformation, and other online harms that have been linked to mental‑health concerns among adolescents.
Next steps
The European Commission will submit the Kids Act to the European Parliament for debate and amendment. Lawmakers will examine the proposal’s technical feasibility, enforcement mechanisms, and potential effects on the digital economy. Stakeholders, including civil‑society groups, industry representatives, and child‑advocacy organizations, are expected to weigh in during the consultation period.
While the EU’s approach is ambitious, it reflects a growing global consensus that children need stronger protections in an increasingly digital world. The outcome of the EU’s legislative process could set a precedent for other regions considering similar age‑based restrictions on social‑media use.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
