How is the EU improving kids’ safety online? Ask the Euronews AI chatbot

The European Union is taking action to improve online safety for children amid growing concerns about the impact of addictive platform design and excessive screen time on young people's mental health. The EU Kids Act, a new proposal, aims to ban children under 13 from accessing social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Adolescents aged 13 to 15 can create restricted accounts under parental supervision, while 15- to 18-year-olds are only allowed to access age-appropriate versions of social media.

To ensure online safety, social media, AI chatbots, video games, video-sharing platforms, and app stores must be designed to be age-appropriate and discourage compulsive use. Recommender algorithms are prohibited from suggesting content based on minors' behavior or preferences.

According to a July 2026 Eurobarometer survey, 71% of Europeans are worried about the psychological impact of cyberbullying on minors, while 70% are primarily concerned about grooming and exploitation. A significant 63% of respondents believe that stricter EU rules on children's access to social media are needed, with 15% advocating for stronger law enforcement and 13% favoring parental and school oversight.

The EU's efforts to protect children online extend beyond the EU Kids Act. Earlier this year, the Commission launched an EU age-verification app to confirm users' ages. The Digital Services Act safeguards minors' privacy by implementing safer default settings and limiting targeted advertising, while the Action Plan Against Cyberbullying provides tools to combat online bullying.

For those interested in learning more about children's protection under the EU Kids Act, the Euronews AI chatbot is available to provide information.