European Commission proposal for a social media ban for under-15s
The Kids Act package proposed by the European Commission aims to ban individuals under the age of 15 from opening personal social media accounts.
The European Commission has proposed the Kids Act rule package, which bans individuals under 15 from opening personal accounts in order to regulate children's access to digital platforms.
Kids Act Rules and Age Limits
The new package of rules called the Kids Act, prepared by the European Commission, aims to fundamentally change children's access to social media platforms. According to the proposed plan, individuals under the age of 15 will not be able to open personal accounts on social media platforms.
Parental Control and Phased Approach
The proposed regulation adopts a phased approach, envisaging that children between the ages of 13 and 15 remain under parental supervision. Children in this age group will be allowed to create mini-accounts accessible through their parents' accounts. Access to social media for children between the ages of three and 13 will be blocked entirely.
Account Checks and Age Verification
Platforms will check the ages of existing users within six months of the rules entering into force. Accounts belonging to individuals under fifteen or whose ages cannot be determined will be deactivated. Age verification will be carried out through certified solutions independent of the platforms.
Covered Platforms and Applications
The introduced plan targets social media networks, video-sharing platforms, online games, chatbots, and AI-powered virtual companions. In addition, app stores will be required to subject every application to age classification.
Penalties and Commission Statements
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that with the Kids Act, the burden of proof is reversed. Penalties for non-compliance with the rules can reach up to six percent of the company's total global annual turnover.