EU Plans Social Media & Gaming Curbs for Under-15s
What Happened
The European Union is preparing to propose a new law, the EU KIDS Act, that would restrict access to social media, video-sharing platforms, AI chatbots and online games for children under 15. Under the draft proposal, minors younger than 15 would not be allowed to open autonomous accounts, while younger users would only be able to access services under parental supervision and with limited features.
Key Takeaways
While the proposal applies only to the EU, it could have a wider impact because major platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and gaming services often adopt global product changes. For India, where millions of children and teenagers use smartphones and social media, the EU's move may add momentum to discussions around age verification, screen-time management, child online safety and platform accountability. However, India has not announced similar age-based restrictions, and the EU proposal must still pass negotiations before becoming law.