European Commission proposes social media regulation for under-15s
A new legislative package called the Kids Act restricts individuals under 15 from opening personal social media accounts.
The European Commission has proposed a new legislative regulation called the Kids Act, aimed at protecting children on digital platforms and restricting access to social media for those under the age of 15.
Purpose and Scope of the Regulation
The European Commission has announced a new legislative proposal regarding children's access to social media, a topic debated in many countries including Turkey.
This comprehensive package, named the Kids Act, covers social media networks, video sharing platforms, online games, chatbots, and artificial intelligence-supported virtual companions.
Rules by Age Groups
According to the new proposed regulation, children under the age of 15 will not be able to directly open personal accounts on social media platforms.
The package outlines specific rules for three distinct age groups, with plans to enforce different restrictions for each group.
Measures for the Youngest Age Group
Access to social media for children between the ages of three and thirteen will be completely blocked, and individuals in this age group will only be able to access specially designed video sharing services through accounts managed by parents.
The Thirteen to Fifteen Age Range
For children between the ages of 13 and 15, mini accounts can be opened under parental supervision, and measures such as limited social interaction and a maximum of one hour of screen time per day are intended to be applied to these accounts.
Age Verification Methods
Within six months of the rules entering into force, platforms will check the ages of existing account holders, and accounts belonging to those under 15 will be deactivated.
Age verification will be carried out through independent certified solutions, a free EU age verification application, and the European Digital Identity Wallet.
Sanctions and Responsibilities
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that the burden of proof is shifted directly onto the platforms with the Kids Act.
Penalties to be applied in case of non-compliance with the established rules could reach up to 6 percent of the company's total annual worldwide turnover.
Legislative Process
For the proposed legislative package to become a reality and enter into force, the official approval of the EU Council, consisting of member states, and the European Parliament is required.