EU is set to propose ban on social media and AI chatbots for under-15s

The European Union plans to introduce a comprehensive ban on under-15s using social media, video sharing platforms, AI chatbots, and online games, according to a confidential EU Commission document seen by Reuters. This proposed legislation, part of the EU Kids Act, aims to safeguard children's health and safety from online dangers.

The proposal, to be presented by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Tech Chief Henna Virkkunen, seeks to strike a balance between harnessing the benefits of digital services and protecting minors from potential abuse and exploitation.

The EU's strategy involves limiting tech companies' access to children, rather than the other way around. Access to various services will be restricted based on age, with gradual access allowed according to the child's age. For instance, children aged 15 and above can create their own accounts, while those aged 13 to 14 can ask their parents to open introductory accounts for social media and video-sharing platforms under parental control.

Children aged 3 to 12 will have fully controlled accounts, limited to child-friendly services with strict safety measures.

Under-3s would have no access to these services. Companies will be required to pay a supervisory fee to fund regulators' enforcement and supervision. For those aged 15 and above, social media and video-sharing platforms must verify the user's age upon account creation, while online games platforms must verify age before a child can download games. Companies are also expected to provide tools enabling children to easily report harmful content and implement effective parental control measures.

The draft proposal, which may undergo changes before announcement, will require further negotiations with EU countries and the European Parliament. The final legislation will depend on these discussions and the draft requirements for companies, including avoiding addictive designs and harmful feeds.