{
  "id": 8135424,
  "title": "Kids and social media: What would change under new EU law",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/kids-and-social-media-what-would-change-under-new-eu-law",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-18T00:35:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Japan Times",
    "slug": "japan-times",
    "url": "https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/09/18/world/kids-social-media-eu-law/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Strasbourg, France – The European Union has outlined a comprehensive plan to regulate access to social media, games, and artificial intelligence for children, implementing stringent age limits and safety measures. The proposed regulations encompass a prohibition on addictive features, such as endless scrolling and push notifications, particularly when children are asleep, as the bloc intensifies its commitment to safeguarding minors online. The legal proposal emerged shortly after European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen announced the 27-member bloc's intention to restrict children under 13 from using social media, with only limited, supervised access permitted until they reach the age of 15. With the current subscription plan, users are unable to comment on stories; however, they must create a display name in their subscriber account page to commence commenting. The subscription does not permit commenting. For further information, readers can refer to the FAQ section.",
  "summary": "The EU has been pushed to act after evidence has shown children's physical and mental wellbeing are damaged by social media.",
  "key_points": [
    "EU proposes strict social media regulations for children",
    "Prohibits addictive features and age limits on platforms",
    "Restricts children under 13 from unrestricted social media use"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The proposed EU regulations mark a significant shift in how social media platforms operate with children, restricting addictive features and limiting access for minors until they are at least 15 years old.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}