EU moves to cap children’s access to social media and AI
New proposals mandate that technology firms verify platform safety before minors can use social media, games, and AI assistants, shifting regulatory focus from parental oversight to institutional design.
The European Union has outlined a regulatory framework introducing strict age limits for minors accessing social media, video games, and AI assistants. The proposal, detailed on Thursday, 17 September 2026, aims to shift the burden of digital safety from individual households to the technology sector itself.
Under the new plans, companies are required to ensure their platforms are safe before allowing children to use their services. This approach seeks to establish a baseline of institutional responsibility, ensuring that digital environments are vetted for suitability prior to public access by younger users.
Lisa Dittmer, a researcher at Amnesty International specialising in children and young people’s digital rights, has voiced support for the move. Speaking with FRANCE 24’s Mark Owen, Dittmer argued that the harms associated with social media have come to outweigh the benefits.
Dittmer urged the EU to regulate at the design level, suggesting that the current model of accepting responsibility being pushed onto parents is insufficient. By targeting the architecture of the platforms, the EU hopes to create a more robust safety net than voluntary parental controls.
The inclusion of AI assistants alongside traditional social media and gaming platforms marks a significant expansion of the regulatory scope. This reflects the growing integration of artificial intelligence into daily digital interactions for younger demographics.
While the specific age thresholds and the precise legal mechanisms for enforcement have not yet been detailed, the proposal signals a decisive shift in how the EU approaches digital governance. The framework positions the state as a key arbiter of platform safety, rather than relying solely on corporate self-regulation.
