EU Kids Act proposal mandates parental consent for users under 15
The European Commission is preparing to propose the EU Kids Act, which would mandate parental consent for minors under 15 to access social media, video platforms, and AI chatbots. The legislation aims to restrict tech companies' data access to children and may force the removal of engagement-focused features like infinite scrolling.
Key Takeaways
- Children under three would face a total ban from social media and AI services under the proposed rules.
- Users aged 13 to 15 would be limited to introductory accounts featuring mandatory screen time limits and parental controls.
- Tech companies would be required to pay a supervisory fee to fund the regulatory oversight of these new restrictions.
- The proposal targets engagement-focused design elements, potentially requiring the removal of infinite scrolling to protect minors.
Why It Matters
The immediate implication is a significant increase in compliance costs and technical friction for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram operating within the 27 EU member states. By shifting the burden of age verification and safety-by-design to the platforms, the legislation threatens the high-engagement business models that rely on frictionless onboarding and algorithmic feeds. Within the broader ecosystem, this move signals a shift toward 'tech sovereignty' where regulators, rather than private algorithms, dictate the digital boundaries for younger demographics. Watch for the official State of the Union address on September 16 for specific enforcement timelines and potential exemptions for educational services.
Read full article at ladbible.com
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