The draft EU KIDS Act, unveiled on September 17, 2026, would bar children under 15 from independently creating accounts on certain social networks and video platforms. The goal is a uniform level of protection across member states and a consistent framework for digital services and AI systems.
On September 17, 2026, the European Commission presented its draft for the EU KIDS Act, short for 'EU Keeping Internet Digital Spaces Accountable and Trustworthy.' The proposal restricts independent account creation on certain social networking and video-sharing platforms for children under 15. A single EU-wide age would replace the diverging national rules currently in place across member states.
The Commission justifies the step by citing risks minors face on certain platforms and in AI-powered services. A uniform age is meant to provide legal certainty and remove obstacles to the digital single market created by differing national rules. The draft complements existing frameworks such as the Digital Services Act and the AI Act with a dedicated child-safety regime.
It remains open how age verification will work in practice without forcing platforms to process extensive identity data on all users. The legislative process in the European Parliament and the Council still lies ahead, so details and timelines could still change before the act takes effect. Platforms offering services to minors in the EU should track how the trilogue negotiations develop.
What this means for decision-makers
- Check whether your platform currently allows children under 15 to create accounts independently.
- Prepare age-verification processes that minimize the amount of user data collected.
- Track the ongoing legislative process in the European Parliament and the Council.
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