EU is set to propose ban on social media and AI chatbots for under-15s
“The European Union plans to propose restrictions preventing children under 15 from accessing social media, video-sharing platforms, AI chatbots and online games, seen by Reuters. The proposal is part o…”
The proposal is part of an EU Kids Act that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen are expected to present on Thursday. The plan represents the EU's broadest effort yet to protect children from potential online harms amid growing concerns over the impact of platforms such as Meta's Facebook and Instagram, Tik.
Tok, Google's You. Tube and ChatGPT on children's health and safety. Under the proposal, children aged 15 and above would be able to create their own accounts.
Those aged 13 and 14 could ask their parents to open introductory accounts on social media and video-sharing platforms, subject to parental controls, limited contacts and strict time restrictions. Children aged 3 to 12 would have accounts fully controlled by parents and access only to child-friendly services meeting strict safety standards.
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Children under three would have no access to the services covered by the proposal. The plan would also cover video gaming platforms, with access to different digital services introduced gradually. Companies would face obligations based on the type of service they provide and the age of their users.
Technology companies would also be required to pay a supervisory fee to help finance regulatory enforcement and oversight. The European Commission declined to comment. Details of the proposal could still change before its formal announcement.
The Commission will need to negotiate the draft with EU member states and the European Parliament before it can become law.
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