Erika Malandra The European Commission is placing the protection of minors online at the forefront. The EU Kids Act introduces new rules designed to make digital services safer and less restrictive for children and young people.
Social media prohibited for children under 13: what the EU Kids Act provides
Are social media banned for children under 13 ? The European Commission's proposal introduces a clear distinction based on age.
Children between the ages of 3 and 13 will not be able to access social media. However, they will be able to use video sharing services designed specifically for them, through accounts managed by their parents.
For children between the ages of 13 and 15, however, social media access will be possible with parental control. The proposal calls for "mini accounts," created by the parent and used by the child through the adult's account.
Some safeguards should be in place, including limited social contact and a maximum usage time of one hour per day.
From the age of 15, however, minors will be able to create their own social media accounts independently.
It's not just a question of age. The EU Kids Act also addresses the way online services are designed.
Platforms should provide simple tools to limit the use of an adult's device when it is entrusted to a child, restricting access to services intended for younger children and exposure to a maximum of one hour per day.
The bill also covers social media, video sharing services, online video games, AI assistants, and chatbots intended for users under 18. And here the scope broadens...
Social Media and Minors: New Rules Against Addictive Functions
Among the measures proposed by the European Commission is a ban on certain features deemed potentially harmful to minors. This includes a ban on addictive features and profile-based recommendation feeds that can lead children to potentially harmful content.
The ban not only applies to social media sites banned for children under 13 , but also includes endless scrolling without breaks, reward mechanisms, and push notifications during sleep. Unsolicited contact from strangers is also prohibited.
Minors' profiles should be private by default. Geolocation, camera, and microphone should be disabled by default. Platforms should offer simple tools to block or mute other users, manage time spent online, and use safe recommendation systems that children can control and modify.
Finally, there's a principle set to change the relationship between platforms and user protection: the reversal of the burden of proof. For very large online platforms, providers will be required to demonstrate that their services are "safe by design," meaning secure from the outset and appropriate for the age of their users.
The measure was presented by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. At a press conference, she explained that the new Kids Act aims to "give parents back control" by providing them with tools to guide their children in a safer online environment.
Von der Leyen then turned her attention to how platforms work. According to the president, algorithms learn from users' behavior and can encourage them to click, react, and keep scrolling. And, she added, these very addictive features can be part of corporate strategies to keep children online and monetize their attention.