Summary
- The European Commission presented the EU KIDS Act on 17 September 2026.
- The proposal would prohibit social media access for children under 13.
- Ages 13 to under 15 would be limited to parent-supervised mini accounts with restricted features and time limits.
- Personal accounts would be allowed from 15, while platforms would face safe-by-design duties for users aged 15–18.
The European Commission presented the EU KIDS Act on 17 September 2026, a legislative proposal introducing a graduated set of restrictions on minors’ access to social media.
The proposal is not yet a ban in force. It would prevent children under 13 from accessing social media, while users aged 13 to under 15 would only be allowed special accounts created and supervised by a parent or guardian.
What the EU KIDS Act proposes
According to the European Commission, the proposal establishes an EU-wide minimum age of 15 for minors to create their own personal account. From 13 to under 15, only parent-supervised “mini accounts” with limited features and time restrictions would be allowed.
For users aged 15 to 18, the proposal places greater responsibility on platforms, which would have to demonstrate that their services are age-appropriate and safe by design.
Why this matters for photos, video and AI
The issue is directly connected to visual media and creator workflows. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen specifically referred to the risk of girls’ photos being used to generate sexualised AI images, alongside exposure to harmful content and addictive platform features.
For photographers, filmmakers and creators publishing material featuring children or teenagers, the debate highlights the importance of consent, careful publication practices and understanding how platforms process and distribute visual material.
Age verification with a privacy focus
The Commission has already developed an EU approach to age verification intended to let users prove that they meet an age threshold without revealing more personal information than necessary. The EU blueprint became feature-ready in April 2026 and can be adapted by Member States and service providers.
What the proposal could mean in practice
If the EU KIDS Act completes the legislative process and enters into force, platforms would need to adapt how minors register and verify their age across the European Union. The final rules may change during the legislative process.
Our view
The proposal’s central practical change is to shift more compliance responsibility from minors and families to platforms, combining common age thresholds with safe-by-design requirements. The next key issue is the final legal text and how age verification is implemented without unnecessary collection of personal data.
Frequently asked questions
Are social media platforms already banned for under-13s in the EU?
No. On 17 September 2026, the European Commission presented a legislative proposal. It is not yet an EU-wide rule in force.
At what age would a personal account be allowed?
The proposal sets 15 as the EU-wide minimum age for autonomous creation of a personal account on the covered platforms.
What would apply to 13- and 14-year-olds?
Only special accounts created and supervised by a parent or guardian would be allowed, with limited features and time restrictions.
How would age be verified?
The Commission is promoting privacy-preserving age-verification solutions. The technical and legal details will depend on the final form of the framework.
