New Social Media Bill for Children from the European Union

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the EU Kids Act legislative proposal, which reorganizes children's social media use, in her speech in Strasbourg.

Announcement and Rationale of the Proposal

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the new legislative proposal called the EU Kids Act during her State of the Union speech in Strasbourg on September 16, 2026.

It is stated that European children spend four to six hours a day in front of screens, and a significant portion of them experience sleep disorders and attention deficits.

Three-Tier Age Limit System

According to the new proposal, no child under the age of 13 will be able to open an individual social media account, and this ban cannot be lifted even with parental consent.

Meanwhile, teenagers between the ages of 13 and 15 will be able to access platforms via mini accounts limited to one hour a day under parental or guardian supervision.

Design Restrictions Imposed on Platforms

Social media platforms, video sites, and online games will be stripped of addictive features for users under 18.

Infinite scrolling, reward mechanisms, notifications sent during nighttime hours, and contacts from unknown individuals will be blocked.

Privacy and Artificial Intelligence Regulations

Children's accounts will be opened by default with a private profile, disabled location sharing, and disabled camera and microphone access.

Artificial intelligence-powered chatbots will be prohibited from simulating relationships in a way that creates emotional dependence.

Inspection Mechanism and Penalties

The enforcement of the introduced rules will be carried out within the framework of the Digital Services Act and the Artificial Intelligence Act.

Companies that fail to comply with the rules could face fines of up to 6 percent of their annual global turnover.