Published on 21/09/2026 – 8:15 GMT+2
The European Union is intensifying its efforts to improve online safety, aiming to tackle growing health concerns among young people linked to addictive platform designs and excessive screen exposure.
Under the new EU Kids Act, children under the age of 13 are prohibited from using social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Users between 13 and 15 may create supervised, restricted accounts, while those aged 15‑18 are limited to “safe‑by‑design” versions of social media.
Social media, AI chatbots, video games, video‑sharing platforms and app stores must be age‑appropriate and designed to discourage compulsive usage. Recommender algorithms are no longer permitted to tailor content to minors based on their behaviour or preferences.
The proposal responds to escalating concerns about the contemporary online environment. A July 2026 Eurobarometer survey reported that 71 % of Europeans are worried about the psychological effects of cyberbullying on minors, while 70 % are primarily concerned about grooming and exploitation. Within the respondents, 63 % favour stricter EU regulations on children’s social media access, 15 % support stronger law‑enforcement measures and 13 % prefer oversight by parents and schools.
The legislation forms part of the EU’s comprehensive strategy to safeguard children online. Earlier this year, the Commission introduced an EU age‑verification app to confirm users’ ages. The Digital Services Act further shields minors’ privacy by mandating safer default settings and limiting targeted advertising, and the Action Plan Against Cyberbullying equips stakeholders with tools to combat online bullying.
For further details on how the EU Kids Act protects children, you can consult the Euronews AI chatbot.
