EU Proposes Kids Act to Enhance Online Child Safety, Enforce Stricter Age Verification on Social Media
September 20, 2026
Identity Week Europe is highlighted as a key venue for stakeholders from government and industry to discuss these challenges.
Reuters is cited as the source for reporting on these developments.
Stop Killing Games campaign and statements from policy adviser Paul Diegel illustrate current interpretations of the draft and its implications for AI and gaming policy.
The EU is moving to restrict autonomous accounts for under-15s on risk-prone social media and video platforms, mandating an EU-wide age-verification system and guardian-linked access across age bands: under-3 no access; under-13 guarded with conditions; 13–14 limited guardian-controlled; 15–17 independent accounts within a safe-by-design framework.
Enforcement would leverage existing DSA and AI Act mechanisms, with regulatory supervision, investigatory powers, and penalties up to 6% of worldwide turnover, plus a supervisory fee for some providers.
There is a tension noted between celebrating grassroots venues for cultural value and acknowledging broader industry challenges, with emphasis on avoiding reducing artists to formulaic success stories.
Spain is pushing for a higher threshold while remaining in negotiations to reach consensus on the final text.
Industry lawyers note potential coherence with DSA guidance but flag practical hurdles, such as verifying guardian status, inconsistent terminology, and burdensome operations for providers.
Several key details are not yet specified, so the focus remains on the central claims and implications rather than precise actions.
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Ireland, as rotating Council presidency, signals prioritizing EU-wide rules in Council discussions to push harmonisation.
Context notes differences across member states, potential court rulings, and the possibility that future decisions could block or alter the ban.
Summary based on 71 sources
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Sources

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