EU Proposes KIDS Act for Child Online Safety
The European Commission's proposal sets age-tiered rules for minors on social networking and video-sharing platforms across the EU.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Pre-Teens
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On 17 September 2026, the European Commission adopted a proposal for the EU KIDS Act, formally titled 'EU Keeping Internet Digital Spaces Accountable and Trustworthy,' to strengthen children's online safety and ensure an equal level of protection across the EU. The proposal builds on a report from the co-chairs of the Special Panel on Child Safety Online, presented in July 2026.
Why it matters
The proposal adopts a developmental approach so that children's online experiences and protections grow with their age, rather than applying a single standard to all minors. It would apply to social networking and video-sharing platforms used by families across the bloc.
Minors may use guardian-set accounts on social networking and video-sharing platforms from age 13, and set up their own accounts from age 15. The proposal includes a 90-day fast-track enforcement procedure for in-scope services.
The players
European Commission
The executive body of the European Union that proposes legislation and enforces EU law across member states.
Special Panel on Child Safety Online
An advisory panel whose co-chairs produced the report recommending a developmental approach to children's online protection that the proposal builds upon.
The details
In-scope services would have to disable addictive design features, ensure high privacy settings for minors' accounts, and adapt algorithms to prevent exposure to harmful content. Providers designated as very large online platforms under the Digital Services Act would also have to submit an audited compliance plan.
Timeline
July 2026: Special Panel on Child Safety Online report presented.
17 September 2026: European Commission adopts the EU KIDS Act proposal.
Roadmap
The proposal extends the enforcement architecture of the Digital Services Act and the AI Act into child-specific online protections. It reflects a shift from one-size-fits-all rules toward age-graduated access as minors grow older.
Families would see guardian-set accounts available from age 13 and autonomous accounts from age 15 on covered platforms. Parents could rely on easier-to-use parental controls that the proposal requires services to provide.
The takeaway
Parents of pre-teens should note that age thresholds of 13 and 15 would govern when children can hold their own accounts on covered platforms. Reviewing privacy and parental-control settings may become easier as these rules take effect.
Further reading
For more on how online rules shape family life, see Pre-Teens coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Temas | Parlamento Europeo.
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