The European Union has announced plans to restrict social media access for children across its member states, with under-13s banned from platforms entirely and older children limited to an hour a day via “mini accounts.” The move, called the EU Kids Act, was formally outlined on Thursday and was trailed in EU chief Ursula von der Leyen’s annual address to the EU Parliament on Wednesday.
Under the proposals, children under 13 would be banned from accessing social media platforms. Those aged 13 to 15 would only be able to access platforms for an hour per day via mini accounts set up through their parent or guardian’s social media account. Only children aged 15 and over would be able to set up their own social media accounts.
The European Commission said social media companies would need to prove their platforms were safe by design. Von der Leyen said the move would “put parents back in the driving seat.”
The three parts of the EU Kids Act
The legislation targets three groups of children:
- Under-13s are banned from platforms entirely
- 13 to 15-year-olds are limited to an hour a day via mini accounts
- Only 15-year-olds and over can set up their own accounts
Each group faces a different restriction. The under-13 ban is absolute. The hour cap for 13 to 15-year-olds is enforceable through the parent-controlled mini accounts. The 15-and-over group gets full access.
How the mini accounts work
The hour-per-day limit applies to children aged 13 to 15. They would access platforms through mini accounts created via their parent or guardian’s existing account.
The requirement for parental setup means children would need adult permission to use the platforms at all. Parents would have to create the accounts and manage the time limits.
What the EU chief said
Von der Leyen framed the legislation as giving parents tools to help their children navigate a safer world. She said the move would put parents back in the driving seat.
Her May statement suggested the minimum age question was coming into focus. The EU Kids Act now formalises that position.
The Commission’s demand for proof of safety by design adds a technical layer to the political framing. Companies will need to show regulators that safety is not an add-on but a core feature of their platforms.
Who stands to gain
The proposals give parents tools to monitor and limit their children’s online time. But they also mean children need adult permission to use the platforms at all.
The Commission’s requirement for proof of safety by design puts pressure on companies to redesign their platforms.
A timeline of the rollout
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May | Von der Leyen says minimum age discussion can no longer be ignored |
| Wednesday | EU Kids Act trailed in von der Leyen’s annual address to EU Parliament |
| Thursday | Formal outline of the legislation published |
The bigger picture
Some individual EU countries have announced separate plans to restrict social media for children. The EU’s move comes alongside those national efforts.
The legislation formalises a position Von der Leyen flagged in May. Companies will need to prepare for the changes.
The answer matters for the shape of the internet children grow up on.
See the a run of 36 images at the BBC.
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