European Union Proposed New Social Media Rules for Minors
The EU KIDS Act would restrict access and features for children to increase online safety.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Pre-Teens
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The European Commission has introduced the EU KIDS Act, a legislative proposal that mandates tiered social media access based on age and requires safety-by-design standards for services used by those under 18. This proposal aims to limit addictive features for younger users across the European Union.
Why it matters
This move represents a shift toward regulating digital platforms to prioritize adolescent well-being, specifically targeting addictive design elements. It draws on findings from the Special Panel on Child Safety Online to address concerns about how these services affect minors.
The proposal introduces tiered access constraints for users under 15 and mandates safety-by-design requirements for all services reaching users under 18. These standards are based on reports from the Special Panel on Child Safety Online.
The players
European Commission
The executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation and implementing decisions.
Special Panel on Child Safety Online
An advisory body that provides research and guidance on digital risks and protections for minors.
The details
The act mandates that services implement safety-by-design protocols and submit formal safety plans to regulators before gaining access to child users. For those under 18, the legislation explicitly prohibits the use of infinite scroll, push notifications, and other addictive interface features. Children aged 13 and 14 would be restricted to parent-controlled 'mini accounts' capped at one hour of daily usage, while autonomous accounts would only be available to those 15 and older.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: The European Commission published the EU KIDS Act legislative proposal.
Health Landscape
The proposal extends the framework established by the EU Digital Services Act to target the specific developmental needs of minors. It marks a departure from industry self-regulation toward mandatory, safety-by-design standards for youth-facing digital services.
Families should monitor how these proposed shifts in interface design might affect their children's daily digital habits. If you have concerns about your child's screen time or online engagement, discuss healthy technology boundaries with your pediatrician.
The takeaway
The EU KIDS Act seeks to mitigate the impact of addictive digital design on the health of minors through age-tiered access and stricter platform requirements. Families can track the progress of this legislation as it moves through the European Union's policy process.
Further reading
Find more guidance on navigating digital growth in the Pre-Teens section.
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Should governments impose stricter age and design regulations on social media platforms for minors?
