The EU will ban children under 15 from using social media platforms, certain gaming platforms and AI chatbots without parental supervision. The ban is expected to be clarified in the Children’s Law, which will be published on Thursday, reports Financial Times.
“No social media before the age of 13. No personal account before the age of 15,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a speech on Wednesday. “Europe has the power to act. We decide the rules, not big tech.”
According to a draft proposal seen by FTchildren under 13 will only be allowed access under parental supervision, while children between 13 and 15 will need parental consent to create accounts with parental controls and other restrictions such as time limits.
Meanwhile, social media companies, online gaming services and AI chatbots will need to introduce safeguards to protect children from abuse and addictive behavior, and companies that offer AI companion and chatbot services will need to avoid designs that encourage unhealthy emotional attachments or expose them to harmful interactions.
Affected companies will also have to verify the age of users with an official age verification app. Failure to comply with the rules could result in fines of up to 6% of their overall annual turnover.
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