Ursula von der Leyen announced on Thursday a draft European Commission proposal that would bar anyone under the age of 15 from using mainstream social‑media services without a parent's explicit approval. The measure, part of what officials are calling the "EU Kids Act", also limits the daily use of platforms for 13‑ to 15‑year‑olds to one hour and requires a redesign of features deemed addictive.

The initiative targets a range of digital services that go beyond Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. It also covers video‑sharing sites such as YouTube, online gaming environments like Roblox, and generative‑AI tools such as ChatGPT. The Commission says the rules aim to curb the four‑ to six‑hour daily screen times that recent surveys show are typical for European children, especially those who first went online before age ten.

How the new rules would work

Under the proposal, every platform would have to verify a user's age before granting access. The Commission plans to supply a centralised age‑verification tool that checks an identity document and matches it with a facial photograph. The system would be operated by a third‑party provider, and the platform itself would not retain any personal data.

For users aged 13 to 15, access would be possible only if a parent or guardian authorises it through the same verification process. Even then, the child could spend no more than one hour per day on the service, and the platform would have to switch off or limit functions that encourage endless scrolling or other potentially addictive behaviours, a principle the Commission describes as "safety by design".

Enforcement and corporate responsibilities

Compliance would rest on the platforms themselves. Companies would need to demonstrate to the Commission that they have removed or restricted the identified features and that their age‑verification system meets the required standards. Failure to do so could trigger fines under existing EU digital‑service regulations.

Critics point out that the effectiveness of the scheme depends heavily on parents' willingness to respect the limits. "If a parent simply unlocks the account, the whole system collapses," noted a digital‑rights analyst who asked to remain anonymous. The proposal does not prescribe penalties for parents who bypass the rules.

National governments will also play a role. The draft must be approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the 27 member states. Some countries, such as Estonia, have expressed caution about imposing what they see as heavy obligations on tech firms, fearing that the measures could stifle innovation or create administrative burdens.

Reaction from civil society and industry

Digital‑rights groups have welcomed the intention to protect children but question the narrow focus on under‑15s. The European Digital Rights organisation EDRi argues that harmful design features should be addressed for all users, not only minors, and warns that mandatory age verification could introduce new privacy and cybersecurity risks.

Tech companies echo similar concerns. Representatives from major platforms have warned that a compulsory verification system could expose users to data‑leakage and that the requirement to redesign core functionalities might be technically complex and costly. They suggest that the EU first enforce the existing Digital Services Act, which already obliges platforms to tackle illegal content and disinformation.

Trade unions and child‑welfare NGOs largely support stronger safeguards. The European Trade Union Confederation said the proposal "recognises the real harm that excessive screen time can cause to young people's mental health and development". Meanwhile, the European Children's Ombudsman called for swift adoption, stressing that children's right to privacy and safety online must be upheld.

Political backdrop and next steps

The draft builds on recommendations from the European Parliament's 2023 report, which called for a minimum age of 16 for independent social‑media use. The Commission's decision to set the threshold at 15, with a one‑hour daily cap for older teens, reflects a compromise intended to balance child protection with the realities of digital consumption.

Parliamentarians from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats have voiced strong backing, while members of the European People's Party have urged a more flexible approach that would give member states greater leeway to adapt the rules to national contexts.

Legislators will now debate the text in committee, where amendments on the scope of age verification, data‑retention safeguards and the definition of "addictive" features are expected. If the proposal survives the parliamentary vote and receives Council approval, it could become law as early as mid‑2025.

Implications for European households

For families, the proposal could mean a shift in how children interact with digital media. Parents would need to manage verification apps and monitor daily usage, potentially adding to household administrative tasks. However, supporters argue that the limits could alleviate the pressure on children who currently spend multiple hours a day on platforms, freeing time for education, physical activity and offline social interaction.

From a broader economic perspective, the rules may push tech firms to invest in new compliance infrastructure, which could increase operating costs. Smaller start‑ups might find the requirements particularly burdensome, raising questions about market entry barriers and competition.

Nevertheless, the Commission maintains that the long‑term benefits, reduced mental‑health risks for young people, lower exposure to targeted advertising, and a healthier digital ecosystem, outweigh the short‑term costs to businesses.

As the debate unfolds, the key question remains whether the EU can enforce a pan‑European age‑verification system that respects privacy, protects children and does not unduly hinder innovation. The outcome will likely set a benchmark for other regions grappling with the same challenge.