EU Proposes Strict Age Limits and Screen Time Rules Under New Kids Act

The European Union has officially proposed a comprehensive legislative measure known as the 'EU Kids Act' to restrict children's social media use according to distinct age groups. This major regulatory initiative comes as the 27-nation bloc addresses growing concerns over digital safety and minor welfare across its nearly 450 million citizens. The institutional push is being spearheaded by the European Commission, representing the executive arm of the European Union.

Under the sweeping provisions of the newly proposed EU Kids Act, distinct restrictions are established based on chronological age. Children under the age of thirteen will be entirely prohibited from using social media platforms. For adolescents aged thirteen and fourteen, the proposal mandates that parental supervision is required for their continued digital access. Meanwhile, users who reach the age of fifteen will be permitted to independently open social media accounts without mandatory parental oversight.

In addition to strict age boundaries, the legislative proposal introduces operational limits designed to protect younger users. Specifically, the framework outlines a maximum daily screen time limit of one hour for accounts classified as mini-accounts and sub-accounts. These regulatory measures are intended to curb excessive digital consumption and mitigate the adverse impacts associated with prolonged platform engagement among developing demographics.

Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, emphasized the necessity of these protective measures by highlighting the underlying rationale. She stated that there is sufficient evidence regarding the damage caused by social media to the developing brains and personalities of children. This scientific and psychological justification forms the cornerstone of the European Commission's push for rigorous digital reform.

Enforcement of the proposed EU Kids Act would be integrated directly into the European Union's existing Digital Services Act framework. Violations of these upcoming regulations could result in severe financial consequences for non-compliant technology companies. The framework allows for maximum penalties reaching up to 6 percent of a company's global annual income, ensuring strong legal accountability across the internal market.