European Union Drafts Digital Restrictions for Children Under 15
The European Union is preparing a new legal regulation introducing phased access rules based on age groups to enhance children's online safety.
The European Union is working on the EU Kids Act draft, which aims to protect children under 15 from digital services such as social media, AI chatbots, and online games.
Scope of the EU Kids Act Draft
The new regulatory draft prepared by the European Union aims to fundamentally change children's access to services in the digital world.
The initiative covers not only social media platforms, but also video-sharing services, AI-based digital companions, and application stores.
Gradual Rules According to Age Groups
Under the new draft, children's access to digital platforms is regulated gradually by dividing it into four distinct age categories.
The introduced rules are planned to include varying restrictions suited to the developmental stages and safety needs of children.
Young Users and Parental Control
Users aged fifteen and older will have the right to open their own accounts directly.
Children between the ages of thirteen and fourteen, however, will only be able to use basic accounts on social media platforms created by their parents.
Rules for Young Children and Infants
Accounts for children aged three to twelve will be operated entirely under parental control, and this group will only be able to access child-friendly services.
Children under the age of three will not be permitted to access digital services covered by the regulation under any circumstances.
Heavy Sanctions for Companies
Very strict administrative and financial measures are foreseen for digital service providers that fail to comply with the established rules.
Companies acting contrary to the laws could face heavy fines amounting to up to six percent of their annual global revenues.
Legislation and Approval Process
The proposed text has certain diplomatic and administrative stages ahead of it before officially entering into force.
For the draft to become law, negotiations must be conducted between EU member states and the European Parliament, and necessary approvals must be obtained.