The EU Kids Act is a proposed regulation by the European Commission and the European Union that would prohibit children under 13 from social media accounts, require supervision for users aged between 13 and 15 as well as platforms being designed safe for users aged 15 to 17. The proposal would also require age verification for accounts and have covered platforms avoid addictive designs.
Background
In a Eurobarometer survey from July 2026, 63% of Europeans supported EU regulation of social media use by children, with the majority supporting a blanket ban as the mechanism.
Response Major children's rights organisations have approved of the Kids Act's methodology, and were given opportunities to provide input to the Commission via a special panel organised by President Ursula von der Leyen.
However, digital rights organisations including EDRi have raised concerns over the Act potentially depriving children and adults of their freedom of speech and hindering their access to information, and have criticized the Commission for not conducting a formal impact assessment as part of the proposal.
See also Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 Decision 2026-911 (France) Online age verification laws by country
References