Introducing an EU-Wide Minimum Age
On September 17, 2026, the European Commission will present the EU Kids Act, a draft law establishing a common minimum age for users of social media and other digital platforms across EU countries. The bill aims to protect minors from risks in the digital environment and would restrict access to social media for users below a specified age.
The new regulation will cover social networks, video platforms, online games, as well as chatbots and AI-powered virtual assistants. Educational tools will be exempt, allowing children to continue studying online without restrictions.
Enforcement and Oversight
The EU Kids Act will establish a new enforcement framework modeled on the Digital Services Act and the AI Act. Companies whose services pose the greatest risks to children will be directly supervised by the European Commission, strengthening accountability for digital platforms.
The bill also provides for annual supervisory fees on companies to fund monitoring and investigations into violations. Parents and guardians will have access to special controls to help protect children online.
Age Restrictions in the International Context
Australia was the first country to ban social media use by children and teenagers under 16, while the United Kingdom plans to introduce a similar ban in 2027. In France, the Senate backed restrictions on social media access for people under 15 in July 2026.
Similar measures are also being discussed in Spain, Greece, and Denmark, reflecting a global trend toward stronger online protections for minors. An EU-wide standard would harmonize the rules and make the digital environment safer for children.
Technical Challenges and Privacy Protection
Introducing a minimum age requires reliable methods for verifying users’ ages, affecting millions of adults and minors. The main challenge is to confirm age without compromising anonymity or requiring users to disclose excessive personal data.
One proposed option is the double-anonymity principle, approved by the French regulator in 2024. An independent provider verifies a user’s age and issues a digital key stored on the user’s device, while neither the platform nor the provider receives information about the user’s identity. However, the technology requires a balance between cost, reliability, and privacy.
Significance and Outlook
Moving to an EU-wide minimum age for social media access is a step toward improving digital safety for children and teenagers across the EU. The EU Kids Act would establish a legal framework for comprehensive protection and oversight in a rapidly evolving digital environment.
These rules will affect millions of users and digital companies, spurring the development of new age-verification technologies and greater platform accountability toward minors.
Key takeaway: The EU Kids Act will establish a common minimum age for social media across the EU, helping to protect children effectively in the digital environment.