EC Proposes ‘EU KIDS Act’ to Restrict Minors’ Online Access
The proposed "EU KIDS Act" would impose tiered age-based access, mandatory age verification, and "safe by design" rules on social media, video platforms, online games, and AI chatbots.
The European Commission on September 17, 2026, proposed the “EU KIDS Act,” a sweeping regulation aimed at protecting minors online. The proposal would create significant new obligations for providers of “Social Media+” services, a category that includes social media, video-sharing platforms, online games, and AI companions or chatbots. Major tech clients and counsel should note the act’s three core pillars: tiered, age-based access restricting service use for different age bands under 18; mandatory, privacy-preserving age verification for both new and existing accounts; and extensive “safe by design” requirements. These design mandates include making minor accounts private by default, removing features like infinite scrolling, and placing new limits on recommender systems and AI interactions. With potential fines reaching 6% of worldwide annual turnover, the financial stakes are substantial. The act is not yet law and is unlikely to take effect before 2028, but affected companies should begin assessing its impact and monitoring the legislative process.