Archive · 15 Sep 2026
EU Proposes Age Rules for Social Media and AI Chatbots
The European Commission wants to create new rules for online services used by children.
The proposal covers social media, AI chatbots and video gaming platforms.
It would give children different levels of access depending on their age.
Children aged 15 and older could create their own accounts.
Children aged 13 and 14 could ask their parents to open introductory accounts.
These accounts would have parental controls and limited contacts.
They would also have strict time limits.
Companies would pay fees to help regulators supervise and enforce the rules.
The European Commission has proposed new age-based rules for social media, AI chatbots and video gaming platforms.
Children aged 15 and older would be allowed to create their own accounts under the proposal.
Children aged 13 and 14 could request introductory accounts through their parents.
Those accounts would include parental controls, limited contacts and strict time limits.
Companies would pay supervisory fees to fund regulators’ monitoring and enforcement.
- Who
- The European Commission, online-service companies and children under 15.
- What
- A proposal for age-based access rules covering social media, AI chatbots and video gaming platforms.
- When
- The article does not specify a date for the proposal’s implementation.
- Where
- The European Union.
- Why
- To establish age-based access and give regulators funding for supervision and enforcement.
- Proposal scope
- Social media, AI chatbots and video gaming platforms
- Independent account age
- Children aged 15 and older
- Parental introductory accounts
- Children aged 13 and 14 could request them through their parents
- Account safeguards
- Parental controls, limited contacts and strict time limits
- Company obligation
- Firms would pay a supervisory fee
- Fee purpose
- Funding regulators’ supervision and enforcement
- Access model
- Services would become available gradually according to age