EU Drafts Sweeping Ban on Social Media, AI for Users Under 15

The European Union is set to propose what could be its most stringent regulations to date on children's access to online services, including a potential ban on social media, AI chatbots, and online games for users under the age of 15. The plan is part of a forthcoming "EU Kids Act," according to a European Commission document seen by Reuters, and would represent a major regulatory challenge for global tech giants like Meta, Google, and TikTok.

A Tiered Approach to Digital Access

The draft proposal outlines a tiered system for access based on age, aiming to shield minors from online exploitation and harmful content. The rules would impose varying levels of control and place new obligations on platform operators.

• 15 and older: Users would be permitted to create their own accounts without restrictions.
• 13 to 14: Minors could request parental permission to open "introductory accounts" on social media and video-sharing sites, which would feature parental controls, limited contacts, and strict time limits.
• 3 to 12: Accounts would be fully controlled by parents and limited to child-friendly services meeting high safety standards.
• Under 3: No access would be permitted to these services.

New Burdens for Tech Platforms

The proposed legislation would place significant new compliance and financial burdens on technology companies. According to the document, firms would be required to pay a supervisory fee to fund the enforcement and oversight activities of regulators.

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Key requirements for companies would include implementing robust age verification systems for new accounts and game downloads. The proposal also takes aim at the core design of many platforms, demanding that companies avoid "addictive designs and harmful feeds." Firms would also need to provide effective parental control tools and simple methods for children to report harmful content.

Legislative and Market Outlook

The proposal is expected to be formally presented on Thursday by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen. The draft must still be negotiated with EU member states and the European Parliament before it can become law, and details could change during that process.

For investors, the EU Kids Act signals a deepening of the regulatory scrutiny facing the tech sector. If enacted, the law could impact user growth metrics and force costly redesigns of platform algorithms and user interfaces. This follows a global trend of governments expressing concern over the impact of digital services on the health and safety of children, potentially leading to similar legislative efforts in other markets.