The EU proposed a ban on social media for users under 13 and restrictions for those 13‑15, citing dangers to minors and including AI chatbots in the scope.

The European Commission on Saturday unveiled a draft regulation that would prohibit children under the age of 13 from accessing social‑media platforms and tighten age‑verification rules for users aged 13 to 15.

Key provisions of the draft law

Under the proposal, platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and any service that hosts user‑generated content would be required to block accounts belonging to minors younger than 13, unless parental consent is documented and verified.

For teenagers aged 13‑15, the draft mandates a “high‑risk” classification that forces companies to implement stricter privacy settings, limit targeted advertising and provide clear information about data processing.

AI chatbots and other digital services

The regulation also expands its scope to include AI‑driven chatbots and virtual assistants, requiring providers to verify a user’s age before allowing interaction with generative‑AI features.

  • Mandatory age‑verification mechanisms for all social‑media accounts
  • Prohibition of personalised advertising to users under 16
  • Obligation to offer a default “privacy‑by‑design” setting for minors
  • Heavy fines of up to 6% of global turnover for non‑compliance

Rationale and reaction

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the move aims to protect children from harmful content, data exploitation and the psychological effects of endless scrolling. The proposal follows a series of high‑profile incidents involving minors and online harassment.

Digital‑rights groups warned that the ban could push young users toward unregulated fringe platforms, while industry representatives argued that the verification burden could stifle innovation and raise privacy concerns.

“We must act now to safeguard the next generation from a digital environment that was never designed with them in mind,” the Commission’s statement read.

The draft will be debated by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers before it can become law, a process that could take several months.

Reuters coverage of EU Commission social‑media ban proposal