The European Union is considering new restrictions that could limit how children under 15 access social media and other online platforms.
Under a proposal being prepared by the European Commission, children below the age of 15 could face restrictions on creating and using accounts across a broad range of digital services.
The proposed measures could affect young users of popular platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, along with certain AI-powered chatbots and other digital services.
The proposal reflects growing concerns about children’s exposure to online content and the potential impact of digital platforms on young users. Rather than focusing on a single social media service, the planned approach could cover multiple categories of digital platforms.
If implemented, the restrictions would represent a significant change in how children under 15 access online services across the EU. The proposal is still being prepared, meaning its final provisions and implementation details could change.
One of the key issues will be determining how platforms verify users’ ages while protecting children’s privacy and personal information.
The move comes as governments and regulators increasingly examine how online platforms should protect younger users. Social media companies and digital service providers may face additional responsibilities if the EU introduces broader age-related requirements.
For families, the proposed rules could eventually affect how children create accounts and use some of the internet’s most widely used services.
However, until the European Commission finalises and formally presents the proposal, the exact age-verification requirements, platforms covered and enforcement mechanisms remain subject to change.