New Social Media Regulation for Children from the European Commission
The European Commission has prepared a new legislative package that bans children under the age of 15 from opening personal accounts and introduces certified age verification.
The European Commission has submitted a new legislative proposal called the 'Kids Act' aimed at regulating children's access to social media platforms by banning those under 15 from opening personal accounts.
Main Objectives of the Bill
The European Commission has proposed comprehensive rules regarding children's access to social media, a topic debated in many countries including Turkey. The new package aims to prevent children under 15 from opening personal accounts.
Graduated System by Age Groups
Within the framework of the Kids Act package, special rules are envisioned for three different age groups. While access is completely restricted for children aged 3-13, parent-supervised mini-accounts come into play for the 13-15 age group.
Certified Age Verification
Platforms will be required to check user ages within six months. Accounts whose age cannot be verified will be closed, and verification processes will be carried out using a free EU application and digital identity wallet.
Scope and Platform Obligations
The regulation covers social media networks, video platforms, online games, chatbots, and AI virtual companions. Large platforms are required to submit independent audit reports.
Sanctions and Approval Process
Companies that fail to comply with the rules may face fines of up to 6 percent of their global annual turnover. Approval from the EU Council and the European Parliament is awaited for the package to become law.