EU proposes mandatory age verification for all new social-media accounts
The European Commission announced that the EU Kids Act will require age checks when anyone creates a new social-media profile.
The European Commission’s EU Kids Act seeks to impose compulsory age verification for every new account on social-media and video platforms. Providers must conduct an age check at sign-up, and app stores will be required to do the same, using either an EU-issued verification app or other accredited tools. Firms will need to demonstrate that their apps meet child-safety standards and will pay an annual fee for oversight, capped at a small fraction of global net revenue.
The legislation also sets usage limits: children under thirteen are barred from mainstream platforms, teenagers aged thirteen to fifteen may have “mini-accounts” linked to parents, and daily usage for those under fifteen is limited to one hour. Additional safeguards include disabling endless scrolling, push notifications at night, unsolicited contact, and default camera-microphone access. Companies must submit compliance plans within four months of the law’s entry into force, pending approval by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers.
Why it matters
It could reshape how social-media companies operate in Europe and affect billions of users worldwide.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTCenter coverage emphasizes the open-source verification app, privacy safeguards and pilot testing, while right-leaning coverage stresses compulsory age checks, fees and usage limits.
CENTER
Centrist coverage presents the EU plan as a privacy-preserving, open-source tool that is being piloted across several member states.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage frames the EU plan as a mandatory, fee-based verification regime with strict usage limits for minors.
The right emphasises
- providers must conduct an age check at sign-up for every new account
- firms will pay an annual fee for oversight, capped at a small fraction of global net revenue
- daily usage for those under fifteen is limited to one hour and endless scrolling is disabled
How this story developed
- Sep 7 Estonia urges EU to make platforms protect children rather than impose a ban
- Sep 10 Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of California laws that impose penalties on social-media firms, ban addictive feeds for under-16s and require risk assessments for AI chatbots.
- Sep 11 Newsom signed 13 technology bills, adding Adam's Law to the earlier child‑protection package.
- Sep 11 President Nicușor Dan will attend the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland on September 13-14, 2026, alongside leaders from Germany, Poland, Denmark and EU officials.
- Sep 13 Macron’s written request to von der Leyen for a Europe‑wide legal instrument has entered the debate.
- Sep 14 The summit is being held in Rovaniemi, Finland.
- Sep 14 Bucharest will host an upcoming Eastern Flank summit.
- Sep 14 France plans to forward the amended draft to the European Commission on Monday.
- Sep 15 Leaders issued a joint declaration urging the EU to adopt a stronger, better‑funded Arctic strategy.
- Sep 16 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the draft EU Kids Act.
- Sep 18 The draft adds a default one‑hour daily limit for parent‑supervised mini‑profiles, mandates an audit of existing accounts within six months, and sets fines of up to 6 % of worldwide sales for non‑compliance.
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