European Commission Prepares Age Restrictions on Chatbots and Social Media for Under-15s

According to a European Commission document seen by Reuters, the European Union is preparing to propose restrictions on access by children under 15 to social media, video sharing platforms, AI chatbots and online games. It is described as the most sweeping plan yet to protect children from online dangers.

The measure forms part of an EU Kids Act to be presented by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen. The document states that the Union should allow minors to benefit from digital services while protecting them from abuse and exploitation, and should limit the access of technology companies to children rather than the reverse.

The proposal sets out graduated access according to age:

• Under-3s would have no access to the services.
• Children between 3 and 12 would use accounts fully controlled by parents, limited to child-friendly services with strict safety standards.
• Children between 13 and 14 could ask parents to open introductory accounts under parental control, with limited contacts and strict time limits.
• Children from 15 onwards could set up their own accounts.

The draft would require companies to avoid addictive designs and harmful feeds, to provide reporting and parental control tools, and to verify children's age when accounts are opened or games downloaded. Companies would also pay a supervisory fee to fund enforcement. The proposal must still be worked out with EU countries and the European Parliament before it can become law, and details may change.

This reporting is based on an article by Reuters, published via GMA News Online.