EU Proposes Strict Age Limits for Children on Social Media

Families across Denmark and Sweden could soon see strict rules for children using social media. The European Union has proposed new legal age limits for young users.

Under the proposed EU KIDS Act, children under 13 cannot use social media. Teens aged 13 and 14 will only get mini accounts linked to parents. Parents can restrict screen time on these accounts to one hour daily. Youths aged 15 and over can create standard accounts independently.

The draft law requires tech firms to make platforms safe before children join. Companies must disable algorithms that show harmful content to minors. They must also block reward features and unsolicited messages from strangers. AI chatbots cannot simulate real relationships to cause emotional dependence.

Under the rules, minor profiles will be set to private by default. Location tracking, cameras, and microphones must remain turned off. Children must also find it easy to block or mute other users.

The EU plans to roll out an age-verification app for platforms. The app checks age using secure encryption without sharing private personal data. Companies can also choose other age assurance tools.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the plan on Thursday. The EU wants companies to prove their platforms are safe for children. This law will replace existing national age rules once approved. The European Parliament and member states must negotiate before it becomes law. Negotiations could take several months.

Firms that violate the rules face fines up to six percent of turnover. Auditors will check if new platform features comply with regulations. This update was reported by The Local Denmark.