EU to propose curbing social media, online games for under 15s

Strasbourg, France — The European Union plans to introduce new regulations to limit children under 15's access to social media, video-sharing platforms, chatbots, and online games, according to a draft legal document obtained by AFP. The proposed law, to be unveiled on Thursday, would prohibit minors under 15 from creating their own accounts, with a graduated system of access and parental supervision for younger children.

In addition to age restrictions, the EU KIDS Act would compel digital giants to make their platforms safer for children by removing addictive features like infinite scrolling. The European Commission has faced mounting pressure from EU member states, such as France and Greece, to adopt uniform measures to safeguard children from the potential harms of social media.

EU President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to offer a preview of the new legislation during her annual speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday.