EU Proposes Kids Act: Banning Social Media for Under-13s and Capping Teen Use
The European Commission has unveiled a draft of the EU KIDS Act (see details) to protect children under 13 from social media access across the EU. Additionally, it aims to prevent anyone under 15 from creating accounts on these platforms.
Key Points:
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Age Restrictions:
- Children aged 3 to 12 should have no access to social media; they can only use child-friendly video services with parental control and a daily limit of one hour.
- From ages 13 to 14, access is restricted to a 'mini account' with limited contacts and a one-hour daily limit, also managed by a parent.
- Children can open their own accounts from the age of 15.
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Minors and AI:
- AI chatbots will be switched off for minors by default, and they cannot create emotional dependencies.
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Platform Responsibilities:
- Large platforms must prove their services are safe before launch and present a safety plan to the Commission.
- Fines can reach 6% of a company's global annual revenue.
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Implementation:
- The proposal requires approval by both the European Parliament and member states.
- Age checks, using tools like the Commission's age-verification app, will be necessary for online services and app stores.
- Social media platforms must verify ages when new accounts are created.
Strasbourg – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that the KIDS Act reverses the burden of proof, placing responsibility on platforms to ensure their services are safe by design. She also highlighted the act's role in empowering parents and fostering a safer online environment for children.
The proposal aims to address the challenges posed by technology's rapid development and its potential impact on young users' well-being. It is currently a proposal, with no set start date, pending agreement from the European Parliament and member states.